Forty Indian workers have been kidnapped in strife-torn Iraq, prompting the government here to launch all-out efforts to trace them.
The workers, most of whom may be from Punjab and other parts of north India, were workers of a construction company in Mosul town of Iraq, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters.
He said the Indian government had no clue about the kidnappers or any concrete information about those abducted and whatever information has been gathered is through International Red Crescent and various other humanitarian organisations.
"Yes, 40 Indians, who were working with the Tariq Nur Alhuda company, have been kidnapped," he said.
He said government has not received "any call of any nature from anyone indicating about ransom or about taking of Indians in custody in Iraq."
Mosul is located about 400 kms northwest of capital Baghdad.
India is in touch with various humanitarian agencies, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and Iraqi government to gather more information about the kidnapping, he added.
"These are difficuilt situations. We are working with the company. Also we are trying to work with International Red Crescent which has confirmed to us (about the kidnapping). But they have also indicated that at this stage they do not know the location of these 40 Indian workers who are kidnapped," the spokesperson said.
Iraq is witnessing serious strife with militants, backed by Al-Qaida, capturing various cities and marching towards Baghdad.
