The Iraqi militant group which has abducted three Indians and had threatened to execute one by 2030 IST today has extended its deadline by 24 hours.

The extension would mean that the group may start executing the Indian hostages by 2030 IST Saturday.

Rahul Chhabra, director External Publicity Division of Ministry of External Affairs, told rediff.com that the group wanted Kuwait Gulf Link Company to wind up its operations in Iraq.

"We have learnt through our sources that the captors had extended the deadline by 24 hours. We are still in the process of confirming the news," Chhabra said.

But the extension of deadline has brought little cheer to the family members of Tilak Raj, Antaryami (both residents of Una district of Himachal Pradesh) and Sukhdev Singh, resident of Ropar district of Punjab.

Rana Abu Zaineh of the Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company also said the captorshad informed them about lifting the deadline.

The Iraqi go-between Sheikh Hisham Dulaimi said he was optimistic that the abductors would not kill the hostages.

A statement issued by the abductors and obtained by a news agency said, "At the request of the mediator, we have decided give a last chance to the Kuwaiti company and the relevant countries to save their employees and their nationals."

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said, "We also heard about the extension of the deadline. But we have not got any authentic confirmation as yet. If it is true, we really appreciate the gesture and we also hope the kidnapped Indians will be released as early as possible."