'I just want my child to come home safe'

Family members of the Punjabi boys who have been abducted in Iraq are shattered and praying hard for the safe return of their sons from Iraq.

The family members of these boys are worried about their fate even as the Iraqi government has now asked the United States of America to conduct air strikes against the ISIS militants.

Gurpinder Kaur's brother Manjinder Singh is one of the 40 Punjabi boys who are stranded in Iraq.

She said that last time she spoke to her brother was on Sunday when he was well but under the care of ISIS. Now she has learnt from the TV news reports that he might be one of those abducted in Iraq.

Sukhjinder Kaur, the mother of Manjinder Singh, told ANI, "I'm only concerned about the safety of my child."

She failed to hold back her tears while talking and said that she didn't care whether her son is captured by ISIS or someone else she wants ‘her child back home safe’. 

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On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the abduction of 40 Indians in Iraq but added that they have not received calls from anyone who has indicated about ransom or taking these workers under control.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal later told a television channel that his government was even ready to pay a 'ransom' to bring the Indians back home.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Badal said, "The government should do the maximum. If they want any, I don't know whether I should say or not, ransom or anything, the Punjab government is ready to pay all that."

The workers were working on a construction project in Mosul in northern Iraq which has been captured by Sunni militant group ISIS. Reports said that the kidnapping took place while they were being evacuated on Tuesday.

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Assuring assistance from the government, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that humanitarian agencies and International Red Cross are in touch and they will not leave any stone unturned to rescue the abducted Indians.

"Contingency plan unit is working in Delhi for other options. Former ambassador of India to Iraq Suresh Reddy is going to help reinforce Indian mission," he said.

Giving out details about the kidnapping of the workers, the MEA spokesperson said that they had received over 60 calls from families of the people who are stuck in Iraq.

"Area of uncertainty in security is not where majority of Indians are. We have asked International Red Cross to reach out. It has contacted them and ensure security and welfare. They have been advised not to use the surface route," he said.

The MEA has set up 24 hour control room to provide information on Iraq.

Phone number: +91 11 2301 4104
Fax: +91 11 2301 8158
Email: controlroom@mea.gov.in