39 abducted Indians may be in Mosul jail: Sushma
Swaraj says victims kidnapped 3 yrs ago might be lodged in Mosul jail
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday disclosed that 39 Indians who were abducted by the Islamic State in Iraq nearly three years ago might be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul.
Ms Swaraj said she was hopeful that Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari will bring some additional information on the issue when he visits India on July 24.
Family members of the abducted men, mostly from Punjab, met Ms Swaraj on Sunday who briefed them on the developments in the wake of the recent visit of minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singh to Iraq.
Ms Swaraj said that Mr Singh was told in Iraq that the abducted Indians were deployed in construction of a hospital, shifted to a farm and then lodged in a jail in northwest Mosul. NEW DELHI, JULY 16
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday disclosed that 39 Indians who were abducted by the terror outfit ISIS in Iraq nearly three years ago might be lodged in a jail in Badush in northwest Mosul. Ms Swaraj said she was hopeful that Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari could provide some additional information on the issue when he visits India on July 24.
Family members of the missing men, most of whom are from Punjab, met Ms Swaraj on Sunday, who briefed them on the latest developments in the wake of the recent visit of the minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singh to Iraq. Recently, Iraqi security forces had claimed that they had managed to liberate Mosul, a stronghold of ISIS.
The foreign minister claimed that during his visit, Mr Singh was informed by some authoritative officials who claimed on basis of intelligence reports that the abducted Indians were initially deployed in the construction of a hospital building in Mosul.
Subsequently, the entire
Recently, Iraqi security forces had clai-med that they had managed to liberate Mosul, a stronghold of ISIS
group was shifted to a farm on outskirts of Mosul, from where they were eventually shifted to a jail in northwest part of Mosul.
Iraqi forces are currently engaged with ISIS militants in this part of Mosul and Indian agencies feel that a clear picture would emerge in the next few days. During the meeting, the two state ministers for external affairs were also present.
“While Iraqi security forces have managed to liberate east Mosul, they are now securing and sanitising each building as there could be bombs and explosives in them due to which civilian population is not being allowed as of now. Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari is scheduled to visit India on July 24 and may bring updated information. In west Mosul, an operation is still going on between Iraqi and ISIS,’’ Ms Swaraj said.
“During Mr Singh’s visit, a senior official, while quoting some intelligence sources, had informed Mr Singh that the abducted Indians were deployed in construction of hospital and then shifted to a farm. Subsequently, they were shifted to a jail in Badush but since then, there has been no information. We will get some fresh information once fighting in Badush is over,’’ the minister added.
The foreign minister has already spoken to her counterparts of all countries in the Gulf region, who could possibly help India locate the missing men.