Will bring back abducted Indians: Swaraj

"I will meet the families today. Our government will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring them back," said Swaraj.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday confirmed that 40 Indian workers have been kidnapped in the strife-torn Iraqi town of Mosul.

"I can confirm to you now, these 40 Indians, who were working with Tariq Ur Alhood construction company,  have been kidnapped," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on Wednesday.

He, however, said that no ransom calls have been received so far.

"We have not received any call of any nature from anyone indicating about ransom or about taking Indians in custody in Iraq," he said.

He said that the ministry had received over 60 calls from families of the people who are stuck in Iraq.

"Area of uncertainty in security is not where majority of Indians are. We have asked Red crescent to reach out. It has contacted them and ensure security and welfare. They have been advised not to use the surface route," he said.

Akbaruddin also assured that they will not leave any stone unturned to find the abducted Indians.

India is sending Suresh Reddy, a former ambassador to Iraq who is now posted in Indonesia, in view of the crisis.

"Contingency plan unit is working in Delhi for other options. Former ambassador of India to Iraq Suresh Reddy is going to help reinforce Indian mission," he said.

More than 10,000 Indians are living in Iraq, where Al Qaeda backed Sunni rebels of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have captured several cities in the past week triggering a heavy conflict with the Iraqi forces. The rebels are marching towards Baghdad.

A day ago the MEA said: "Events in Iraq have been high on the agenda of the Ministry of External Affairs today. The External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj has herself been monitoring and reviewing the situation on a regular basis. In accordance with her instructions, the Embassy of India in Baghdad is providing us updated reports on their updated contacts with the Indian nationals in the affected areas."

"Also, the minister had requested that the Secretary in-charge of that region i.e. Secretary (East) Mr. Anil Wadhwa should be chairing a crisis management team to review all aspects of assistance that can be provided to the Indian nationals in the affected area. Mr. Wadhwa had also, earlier today, met the Iraqi Ambassador in India Mr. Ahmad Tahseen Ahmad Berwari who apprised him of the situation and also, they discussed possibilities of ground-level cooperation and assistance in assisting Indian nationals who are in the affected area.

"We shall, of course, be monitoring the situation on an hourly basis and will keep you informed if there are further developments in this regard." 

Meanwhile, the MEA has set up a control room. 

The MEA said in view of the prevailing security situation in Iraq and to provide information to all concerned, a 24-hour 'Control Room' has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs. The contact details are as under:

(i) Phones:

+91 11 2301 2113+91 11 2301 2113
+91 11 2301 7905+91 11 2301 7905
+91 11 2301 4104+91 11 2301 4104

(ii) Fax:

+91 11 2301 8158
(iii) Email: controlroom@mea.gov.in

In addition, Embassy of India in Baghdad has set up a 24-hour helpline which can be accessed for information or assistance as per contact details given below:

Tel. No. +964 770 444 4899+964 770 444 4899 (Mobile)
Tel. No. +964 770 484 3247+964 770 484 3247 (Mobile)

Email:
amb.baghdad@mea.gov.in
hoc.baghdad@mea.gov.in
cons.baghdad@mea.gov.in
edubaghdad@yahoo.com

Website: www. indianembassybaghdad.in

Earlier, the MEA had issued a travel advisory to Indians, warning them to avoid all travel to Iraq

The MEA issued the advisory at a time when Sunni-militant ISIS fighters were controlling several towns of the country like Mosul and Tikrit.