New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night (Jul 31, 2004) said that the deadline given by the kidnappers of three Indians in Iraq has not been extended but there was no further news with regard to any other action.

"I have been told that the deadline has not been extended. But there is no further news with regard to any other action," Singh told reporters at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on his return from Bangkok. He said every effort was being made to secure the safe and early release of three Indians held captive by a militant group in Iraq for the last 11 days.

A group calling itself the "Islamic Secret Army - Holders of the Black Banners" had threatened to start executing the seven at 2030 IST tonight unless their employer, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport, pulled out of Iraq.

Noting that "negotiations are still going on", the Prime Minister said, "Every effort is being made to secure the release of these unfortunate hostages."

"We are all gravely concerned," Singh said, noting while in Bangkok he was monitoring the situation on daily basis and Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi kept him informed.