Ropar: The family of Sukhdev Singh, one of the three Indians held hostage in Iraq, today (Jul 31, 2004) said that they have "lost all hope" while his mother's condition deteriorated.

With the deadline set by the abductors to execute their threat to kill one of the captives drawing close, 68-year-old Pal Kaur is in a state of shock lying on a bed since yesterday (Jul 30, 2004) unable to speak or respond while fervent prayers were echoing in the village Makraula Kalan for the early release of the captives.

Sukhdev's 75-year-old father Sher Singh said that the family was now looking for "divine intervention" to save their son. "We have lost all hopes. Only God can save them now," he said in a choked voice.

Ardas (prayers) was on at the residence of Sher Singh and at a village Gurdwara for the safety of the hostages.

Meanwhile, in Hoshiarpur Krishna Devi, the mother of Tilak Raj, one of the three Indian hostages, left for Una in Himachal Pradesh to join other family members there.

The residents of Pur Hiran locality in Hoshiarpur were also praying for the release of the hostages.

Krishna Devi's daughter-in-law Parmila Devi was admitted to a civil hospital at Una.