RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.512
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2017
INDIANS ABDUCTED IN CONFLICT TORN COUNTRIES
512. SHRIMATI SAROJINI HEMBRAM:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) how many Indian citizens are still trapped/ or are in the custody of militants who were abducted in the conflict torn places of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan;
(b) how many Indians have been safely evacuated and returned home from these places, so far; and
(c) whether Government has taken steps to safely bring back Indians who are still trapped in these places?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) As per the information available, in June, 2014 39 Indian nationals were abducted in Iraq. In Afghanistan and Syria, there is no Indian in the custody of militants/extremists.
(b) 5 Indians were safely released and repatriated to India from Afghanistan since 2.6.2014 to 9.6.2016.
(c) Yes, Our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil (Iraq) are in regular contact with the local government authorities and other sources for tracing the missing Indian nationals. The Government has also activated various channels for locating the missing
Indian nationals. Local authorities have conveyed that all cooperation would be extended and instructions have been passed on to all relevant local agencies in this connection. Minister of State for External Affairs General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.) visited
Baghdad and Erbil on 11-15 July 2017 and Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs visited Erbil in June 2017 for this purpose.
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