The Indian diamond industry is in shock following one of the biggest robberies in Antwerp targeting a leading Surti diamantaire on Friday, The Times of India reported.

According to the report, the family members, including the wife and children of Pankaj Maldar, who owns leading diamond company Karp Impex NV, were taken hostage at their residence in Antwerp by a gun-wielding gang. Following an 18-hour ordeal, the family was released after they agreed to hand over a huge stock of diamonds worth crores of rupees, the report said.

Confirming the incident, Vasant Mehta, chairman of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said, “This is one of the biggest ever diamond robberies in Antwerp targeting an Indian diamond company owner. We are all in a state of shock.”

The diamond body is going to make a representation before Prince Philippe, crown prince of Belgium, who is scheduled to visit India on March 25. “We are going to strongly represent the case of safety of Indian diamantaires in Antwerp,” said Mehta. Industry sources say the mafia had come with a complete list of diamond stocks to Maldar’s office in Antwerp.

“Antwerp was considered one of the safest places on earth. This is for the first time that an Indian diamantaire has been targeted by robbers,” said a leading Surti diamond businessman on the phone from Antwerp.

Besides Antwerp, the Rs 1,500-crore Karp Impex has its presence in centres like Hong Kong, China, Bangkok and Dubai. Kishore Maldar, elder brother of Pankaj, who runs the Surat operations, was not available for comment.

The Times of India.