BJP lauds government's efforts in bringing back Indians from Iraq

NEW DELHI: BJP today lauded the government for its efforts in ensuring safe return of Indians from strife- torn Iraq and expressed hope that the remaining stranded countrymen would also be brought back safely to their motherland.

"We are grateful to the Narendra Modi-led Indian government for the way they have come to the aid of stranded Indians in Iraq and ensuring their safe return," BJP's media cell in-charge, Shrikant Sharma said.

Complimenting the efforts of the External Affairs Ministry in reaching out to the stranded Indians in Iraq, he said the safe return of some Indians was ensured by them under such trying conditions prevailing in the war-torn country.

"We hope that with its continued efforts the Ministry will help every Indian lodged in Iraq to return to their motherland safely," he said.

A special Air India flight carrying 46 Indian nurses set free by Sunni militants ISIS in Iraq and 137 others arrived in India today.

Besides the nurses, the plane is also carrying 137 other Indian nationals, including 70 from Kirkuk in the northern part of Iraq.

An Air India spokesperson in Kochi said there are 183 passengers, including 23 crew members and three government officials, including a joint-secretary level IFS officer and an IAS woman officer from Kerala on board the flight.