New Delhi (June 18, 2014): As many as 40 Indians, many of whom from Punjab, working on projects near the Iraqi city of Mosul were reportedly kidnapped by suspected ISIS militants when they were being evacuated from the area ravaged by the war between the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad and Sunni jihadis, a media report said.
“Despite best efforts we are not able to contact them yet, so can’t speculate on the situation in Iraq”, external affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said on Wednesday.
“A 24-hour control room at MEA headquarters in New Delhi has been setup to monitor situation in Iraq”, he said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reviewed the situation with foreign policy and security experts, has directed that no effort be spared to ensure the safe return of hapless Indian workers. National security advisor A K Doval is coordinating the rescue effort.
The 40 Indians are construction workers. There are around 46 Indian nurses in Tikrit, the hometown of late Saddam Hussein. Some 14 of the nurses want to leave while others are still willing to hang on, said sources.
