Found 39 Bodies in Badush, Sent to Baghdad For DNA Testing: Sushma
The 39 Indians were kidnapped near Iraq’s Mosul by the Islamic State in June 2014.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday, 20 March, said that out of the 39 Indians who were abducted from Iraq’s Mosul by the Islamic State, DNA samples of 38 matched with mortal remains found under a mound in Badush. The DNA testing being conducted in Baghdad for the 39th body is under process.
- EAM Sushma Swaraj attacked the Congress for creating a ruckus in the Parliament on a day when she was trying to reveal the details of such a sensitive case
- Addressing a Press Conference, Swaraj clarified that it was her parliamentary duty to first inform the house before the families of the victims
EAM Addresses Presser in New Delhi
EAM Sushma Swaraj addressed the media in New Delhi on the issue of 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul.
She said she was extremely disappointed with the ruckus created in Lok Sabha.
In Rajya Sabha everyone listened to me speaking very patiently and in peace. Everyone paid tribute, I thought same would happen in Lok Sabha. But unlike the past few days of ruckus, today Congress led the protests under Jyotiraditya Scindia ji. Very unfortunate.EAM Sushma Swaraj
On the incident she said all efforts have been made to find the 39 Indians who were abducted by the IS.
She said, “I personally talked to the foreign ministers of the respective countries, I went to them and asked them if they have any evidence they provide us the same. 'Khoye huye ho to maare huye samjhe jaaoge' ye sarkar aisi nahi hai.”
She said the after the Indian search team did not recover these bodies from the mass graves but from a nearby mound in Badush. After fetching the bodies from the mound, the bodies were sent to Baghdad for DNA testing and out of those bodies, DNA for 38 people have been matched, verification of 1 victim is under process.
Rahul Gandhi Condoles Death of 39 Indians
"Don't Know What to Believe Anymore": Sister of Indian Killed in Iraq
Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq said that her family was not informed earlier and heard the statement made in the Parliament to know the news.
For past 4 yrs External Affairs Minister was telling me that they were alive. I don’t know what to believe anymore. I am waiting to speak with her as no information was given to us. We heard her statement she made in Parliament.Gurpinder Kaur
Job Of the Opposition to Take Everything Wrong: VK Singh
Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh said that the government did not want to declare the 39 people dead until there was “strong proof."
Everything takes time, Sushmaji had stated she will not declare them dead until there is strong proof. She kept her promise and no one was misled. It is the job of the Opposition to take everything in the wrong way.VK Singh, MoS, Ministry of External Affairs
Heart-Wrenching News: Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed his condolences to the families of the 39 Indians who were killed in Iraq. He said that this was expected and it should have been announced earlier.
Do Not Be So Insensitive: Sumitra Mahajan
“This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics,” said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on the Opposition raising slogans when the external affairs minister sought time to deliver her statement on the death of 39 Indians in Iraq.
The country has never seen such a sorry state, this is not proper. You are insensitive for your own people.Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Lok Sabha
Sushma Seeks Permission to Make Statement in LS
The Opposition raised loud slogans as Sushma Swaraj sought permission from Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to deliver her statement on the death of 39 Indians in Mosul.
"It is something sad that I want to tell the House and it cannot be done in this ruckus," said Swaraj.
"Govt Giving High Hopes Was Not Right": Shashi Tharoor
Reacting to Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s statement confirming the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor accused the government of giving the families “high hopes."
This is saddening for every Indian, rest I would ask why was this information delayed by the government, they should tell how it happened, when they died. Also, the way government gave high hopes to the families was not right.Shashi Tharoor, Congress leader
VK Singh to Bring Back Mortal Remains
Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh will travel to Iraq onboard a special aircraft to bring back the mortal remains of the 39 Indians killed in Mosul.
Watch: 39 Indians, ISIS and Harjit Masih’s Great Escape
40 Indians were abducted by ISIS from Mosul, Iraq in 2014. Only one returned to India – Harjit Masih – bringing with him a horrific story. Watch The Quint’s documentary on the man and his great escape.
Watch: Sushma Swaraj's Statement in Parliament
Rajya Sabha Adjourned
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day after ruckus erupted in the Upper House following Sushma Swaraj’s statement confirming the deaths of 39 Indians kidnapped in Iraq.
Deep Penetration Radar Confirmed Deaths: Sushma Swaraj
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, 20 March, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed that 39 Indians who were kidnapped by the Islamic State in 2014 were dead.
Mortal remains were sent to Baghdad for verification. The DNA samples of the relatives were sent there, and four state governments – Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar – were involved.Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs
She said that the DNA samples of 38 Indians matched, while that of 39th Indian matched up to 70 percent.
Deep penetration radar confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed.Sushma Swaraj