Siwan Youth Goes Missing in War-Torn Iran, Family Appeals for Government Intervention

Siwan: A 25-year-old youth from Bihar’s Siwan district has reportedly gone missing in Iran, sparking concern among his family and local residents. The youth, identified as Seraj Ali Ansari, a resident of the Mufassil police station area, had recently joined a petroleum company in Iran as a quality check engineer.

According to his family, Seraj had traveled to Iran from Saudi Arabia on June 9 for employment under the Petrosaz General Contractor company. Until June 17, he remained in contact with his family via internet calls. However, since the evening of June 17, his phone has been switched off, and there has been no communication since.

“Bombing was just 1 km away,” says father

His father, Hazrat Ali, recounted the last conversation with Seraj. “He told us he was in a safe location, but heavy bombing was happening just one kilometer from where he was staying. After that call, his phone got switched off, and we’ve had no news,” he said with visible distress.

Hazrat Ali also noted that Seraj did not possess a permanent ID in Iran and was relying on internet-based communication. “He’s the eldest son and shoulders the responsibility of his two younger siblings. His disappearance has plunged the entire family into fear and uncertainty,” he added.

Family submits appeal to Siwan DM

On June 21, the family submitted a formal application to Siwan District Magistrate Aditya Prakash, requesting immediate intervention by the central government to ensure Seraj’s safety and return. The application highlights the urgency of the matter, given the worsening security situation in parts of Iran.

Seraj’s uncle, Akhtar Ali Ansari, said, “We understand that in wartime, human lives may seem insignificant to nations. But to us, Seraj is everything. We appeal to the Government of India to act swiftly and bring him home.”

Call for Central Government Action

The family has urged the Siwan district administration to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs to trace Seraj and facilitate his safe return. They are also appealing for assistance through the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

As tension escalates in the region due to ongoing conflict, Seraj’s disappearance underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Indian workers abroad, particularly in conflict zones. The family continues to wait anxiously for any information about his well-being.