The government on Saturday said it was verifying reports that five Indians had been abducted in Iraq, even as it asserted that Indians had been forbidden from taking jobs in the war-torn country.
"I have seen reports about five Indians being abducted in Iraq. We don't have any official confirmation but we are in touch with the Indian embassy there," said Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vyalar Ravi.
"The embassy is also trying to get more information," Ravi said.
Pointing out that the government had banned Indians from going to Iraq, Ravi said: "We have not been giving immigration clearances (for the country). We don't know how these people went there.
"If the news is true, the Indian government will do everything to save them," Ravi maintained.