Islamabad: Condemning in strongest terms abduction of three of its nationals in Iraq, India today (Jul 22, 2004) said that the hostages were "not combatants" but "innocent persons" and that it was making all efforts to seek their early release and safe return.

"The Indian Government is in touch with authorities of Iraq and Kuwait besides embassies of the US and Kuwait in New Delhi over the development," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, who is in Islamabad in connection with the SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation) Ministerial Conference, told reporters.

"We have all been shocked and distressed at the kidnapping. This is a serious development," he said while appealing to "all those who have influence to assist in ensuring their safe return."

A group calling itself 'Black Flags' has taken three Indians, two Kenyans and an Egyptian hostage in Iraq yesterday (Jul 21, 2004) and threatened to behead them if the Kuwaiti firm for which they work did not pull out of the country. The Indians are Antaryami, Tilak Raj and Sukhdev Singh.

The hostages, Singh said, "are not combatants but innocent people of a friendly country."

"Whatever objective of these people who kidnapped them have is surely wrong. As it is they don't have any sympathy but to do this to Indians, Egyptians and Kenyans will only arouse passions and emotions."