Mortal remains of only 38 Indians to be brought from Iraq: VK Singh

On March 20, Sushma Swaraj informed the RS that all 39 Indians kidnapped by ISIS in Mosul three years ago were dead.

VK Singh to travel to Iraq on April 1 to bring back mortal of slain Indians

Sushma Swaraj informed the Rajya Sabha that all 39 Indians kidnapped by ISIS in Mosul were dead.

The families told reporters they had no idea why their DNA samples were collected and that the officials did not give them any reason either.

In 2014, 39 Indian labourers, mostly from Punjab, were reportedly taken hostage by ISIS when it overran Iraq's Mosul.

Relatives of the missing workers have knocked at every door since June 2014 when they were last heard of but to no avail.

India had requested Iraq to locate the missing Indians after Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul from ISIS this month.

In talks, the two sides will take stock of bilateral relations and explore ways to enhance cooperation in areas of energy and trade.

The Government of India has already sent two high-level senior delegations to Iraq to follow up on this matter.

Sushma along with MJ Akbar and MoS MEA Gen. (Retd.) VK Singh met families of 39 Indians who are missing in Iraq since 2014 on July 16.

Swaraj briefed family members of the abducted men, who are mostly from Punjab, about information gathered by VK Singh who was sent to Iraq.