External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured the family members of the abducted Indians in Iraq that her government will leave no stone unturned for their safe release. A delegation of 24 relatives of the abducted Indians led by Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal met Mrs Swaraj in New Delhi today.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Mrs. Swaraj said that the government is in contact with every organization possible to help in its efforts for early rescue of Indian nationals in Iraq. She said, there are in all 120 Indians in the violence-hit areas including those kidnapped.

Mrs Swaraj said, once the situation improves, the government will make arrangements for their safe return to India by facilitating their tickets and new passports for those who want to return. Mrs Swaraj said that all the Indian nurses who are stranded in Tikrit town in Iraq are safe.

Meanwhile, Punjab government has released a list of 78 persons whose parents have contacted the state run 24-hour Telephone Helpline. Out of them 13 have been reported as kidnapped, 9 missing, 44 stuck up and 11 reported as safe who are waiting for evacuation. Whereas NRI Sabha Punjab helpline has received 18 more calls from distressed parents.