India, Feb. 12 -- Two residents of Gujarat's Anand district who attempted to reach the United States through an illegal migration route have returned from what their family described as captivity in Azerbaijan, following diplomatic intervention by the Indian government, media reports said.

Dhruv Patel, 22, from Jhakharia village, and Dipika Patel, 32, from Kantharia, were allegedly kidnapped in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, while en route to the US through what is commonly referred to as the "Donkey Route" - an irregular migration pathway that involves transit across multiple countries through agents.

They had reportedly been persuaded by Mumbai-based agents that they could reach the United States via an indirect route.

Shortly afte...