17 Indians evacuated from Iraq, talks on to bring another 38

NEW DELHI: The government is continuing intense negotiations to secure release of 38 abducted Indians from Mosul region, worst hit in the Sunni onslaught, even as second batch of 17 Indians were evacuated from Iraq.

The abducted Indians and 46 nurses, besides evacuated 17 were part of the 120 stranded in the conflict zone of Iraq that has 10,000 Indians mostly in the safe zones of North and South. The 17 Indians were evacuated with the support of local authorities, an MEA spokesperson said.

The government, however, did not share details of any negotiations underway with ISIS with assistance from Saudi Arabia and former aides of president Saddam Hussein.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday also issued a travel advisory suggesting Indians in conflict zones of Iraq remain indoors and also advising Indians not to travel to Iraq at this stage.

The advisory said that Indians in conflict zones can leave voluntarily by commercial means if possible. The Indian embassy will soon open camp offices in Basra, Najaf and Karbala to help Indians in Iraq.