New Delhi: Amid indications that the 15-day-old hostage crisis in Iraq could end in "a day or two", the employer of the three Indian captives tonight (Aug 5, 2004) said the negotiations to secure their release were being "wrapped up".

"The negotiations are going fine. These are being wrapped up," Rana Abu-Zaineh, spokesperson for Kuwait and Gulf Link (KGL) transport company, told over phone from Kuwait.

She said the company was "in touch" with the abductors' negotiator Sheikh Hisham Al-Dulaimi through various means.

Sources said the deal has virtually been struck and the hostages may be freed in "a day or two".

Zaineh pointed out that the company had agreed to all demands of 'Islamic Secret Army - Holders of Black Banners' who abducted the three Indian truck drivers, along with three Kenyans and an Egyptian, on July 21.

The abductors of Tilak Raj, Antaryami and Sukhdeo Singh had demanded that KGL end its operations in Iraq and pay compensation to 250 victims of Fallujah bombings by the US-led forces.

Zaineh said the company had been informed that the hostages were "safe".