Indians arrested in Bangkok kidnapping; Pakistani national suspected mastermind

Bangkok: Thai authorities have arrested five Indian nationals for allegedly kidnapping three Indian tourists, holding them captive for a week, and torturing them to force their families to pay a ransom of Rs 70 lakh. Police allege that the crime was orchestrated by a Pakistani national operating from Dubai.

The suspects have been identified as Avtar Singh (38), Jagjit Singh (38), Rambalak Kumar (24), Sukhbir Singh (37), and Kulra Singh (27). They were arrested at a hotel in Bangkok's Khlong Tan area while reportedly preparing to leave Thailand.

According to investigators, the accused had been communicating for around a month with the alleged mastermind through a messaging application. Police believe the Dubai-based suspect planned the operation and intended to receive the ransom through digital money transfers.

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The three victims, all Indian nationals aged between 23 and 26, were reportedly enticed with an inexpensive seven-day holiday package to Thailand, paying around 70,000 baht each. They arrived at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 21 before travelling to Pattaya.

Police said the victims were later taken from a meeting point near a fast-food restaurant and transported individually by motorcycle to a house in Bang Lamung district, where they were allegedly held captive.

Investigators said the victims were found with their hands, legs, and mouths restrained and had visible bruises and injuries. The men told police they were tortured daily, including being hung upside down, beaten on their ankles, deprived of food, and prevented from using the toilet. They were allegedly forced to contact their families in India and demand a combined ransom of Rs 70 lakh.

The rescue operation began after relatives of the victims alerted authorities in India. Thai police traced the suspects despite their alleged use of a Dubai-registered phone number to conceal their location. Officers rescued all three victims from the property and later arrested the five accused.

The investigation remains ongoing as Thai authorities continue efforts to identify and apprehend the alleged Dubai-based mastermind. Police are also examining the wider network believed to have been involved in planning and executing the kidnapping.