The government on Wednesday said the 46 Indian nurses trapped in a building in Iraq’s war-torn Tikrit were safe and unharmed, and that the Indian envoy has spoken with them.
“Our ambassador (in Iraq) has talked to them. They are unharmed, safe,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in response to reports from Amnesty International that the hospital where the nurses work is under the custody of Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) militants.
Asked about reports that the building which houses the nurses was being guarded by ISIS gunmen, Akbaruddin said he would not comment on what others had put out.
Asked about reports that India was among jihad targets of the ISIS, he said, “India’s safety and security is in safe hands.”
“By our estimation, the facilitation phase has now gathered pace. We have provided tickets to approximately 530 nationals. Their seats have been booked on commercial flights. In addition, we are processing the documentation of another 850 people,” he added.
About other captives in the conflict zones, he said the understanding was that they were safe.
{{/usCountry}}About other captives in the conflict zones, he said the understanding was that they were safe.
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