Pakistan's ISI behind harrowing Middle East ordeal of Celina Jaitly's brother? Army veteran flags delays in India's action

The alleged detention of Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly's brother, Major (Retired) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, has snowballed into a massive controversy. Days after the actor opened up about the ordeal she and her family have been facing for the past year, an army veteran has now come forward and raised concerns about the alleged involvement of Pakistan's ISI.

In a post on X, Maj Gen (Dr) GD Bakshi, SM, VSM (Retd), said that it is time for the Indian authorities to move quickly to arrange consular access for Jaitly's brother, who is currently held at a detention centre in Qatar. Raising concern over the alarming pattern of Indian soldiers being targeted in West Asia, Maj Gen (Retd) Bakshi said, "Why are Indian former soldiers being targeted in the Middle East? I suspect an ISI hand."

Major Jetly was a dedicated Special forces officer of 3 Para SF. He served the country with Honour and courage for almost 2 decades.He was an IIT grad and in the Signals. He volunteered for the Special https://t.co/YyV0q3q5qq was shocked to learn that HE WAS ABDUCTED in Dubai…

— Maj Gen (Dr)GD Bakshi SM,VSM(retd) (@GeneralBakshi) November 6, 2025

He also questioned the striking delay on the part of New Delhi in reaching out to the detained soldier. "I am amazed that so far nothing was done and his distraught sister had to move the courts in India. He must be given consular access right away and legal aid at once. I hope the MEA will now swing into action and defend our veterans."

The emotional appeal comes days after a tearful outburst by the Bollywood actor, following the Delhi High Court's directive to the Centre to submit a status report within four weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 4. Advocate Raghav Kacker and Madhav Agarwal appeared for Celina Jaitly. The actor has claimed that her brother was abducted and detained in Abu Dhabi and has been in detention for the past 14 months without access to proper legal and medical assistance.

This is not the first time Qatar's name has cropped up with regard to Indian soldiers. In February last year, a Qatari court had released eight ex-Indian naval officers who were on death row on alleged spying charges. All the men were working for a Doha-based firm when they were detained. After months of backdoor diplomacy, they were freed.

India and Qatar are close strategic allies. Recently, New Delhi signed a staggering $78 billion deal with Doha for the import of LNG until 2048.