Chandigarh/ Punjab (June 20, 2014): The Punjab State Government has released details of Punjabis that have been kidnapped in Iraq. Though the general media reports are mentioning that 40 Punjabis have been kidnapped/ abducted in Iraq, but the Punjab government list includes details of 52 persons (Full list is reproduced below).
It is also learnt that the Punjab government has established contact with the Iraqi Prime Minister. Badal raised concern for the safety of Punjabis that have been abducted by the militants in Iraq.
Family members of Punjabis abducted by militants in Iraq also met India’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sushma Swaraj, who reportedly assured every effort from Indian side to secure safe release of abducted Punjabis.
Official Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of India, Syed Akbaruddin, has stated that the Indian Government is aware of the location, however it is not able to disclose this sensitive information.
As per media reports some of the concerned persons had called their families informing about their abductions.