Lok Sabha Question No. 1509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-27
Subject: Indians as Hostages
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jyotirmay Singh Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2019

## INDIANS AS HOSTAGES

## † 1509. SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of incidents in which Indian citizens have been taken hostage on foreign lands during each of the last two years and which have come to the knowledge of the Government;
- (b) the respective number of Indians rescued and brought back to India who had been stranded in conflict zones including that in South Sudan where Indians had been caught in the war between the Government and the rebels a few years back; and
- (c) whether the Government has provided aid/ relief to the people affected due to such incidents and if so, the details thereof including the cost incurred thereto?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) As per available information, 65 Indians have been taken hostage in various countries during the last two years and the current year. Countrywise list is given at Annexure.

(b) & (c) During the last few years, Government has undertaken special operations to facilitate return of Indian nationals from conflict and disaster affected regions as per details given below.  The safety and security of Indian nationals in foreign countries is a matter of foremost concern for the Government of India. The Government keeps a close watch on the situation in strife-torn countries and makes every effort to provide relief to the affected people and evacuate them.

|   S. No. | Country   | Number of Indians             | Assistance details                                                                                                                 |
|----------|-----------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Ukraine   | 1,082 Indian medical students | 1082 Indian medical students were evacuated by from Luhansk and Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine in 2014 and repatriated to India |
|        2 | Libya     | 3,776 Indians                 | 3776 Indians were evacuated by providing them assistance during 2014 - 17                                                          |
|        3 | Iraq      | 7,195 Indians                 | In 2014, 7,195 Indian nationals were provided assistance for                                                                       |

|    |             |                                        | travelling back to India including through air tickets to about 6,195 workers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----|-------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Iraq        | 39 Indians                             | A group of 39 Indian workers were reportedly kidnapped by the ISIS terrorists during June 2014 from Mosul in Iraq. Their mortal remains were later found buried in the areas recaptured by the Government of Iraq from the ISIS during late 2017. The mortal remains were brought back in April 2018 and handed over to the families. |
|  5 | Yemen       | 6710 persons including 1947 foreigners | 6710 persons were rescued from Yemen under Operation Rahat in March - April 2015                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|  6 | South Sudan | 153 Indians and 2 citizens of Nepal    | 153 Indians and 2 citizens of Nepal were rescued from South Sudan under Operation Sankat Mochan in July 2016                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

| LSFAQ 1509 reg Indians as Hostages during the period 2017 to 2019   | LSFAQ 1509 reg Indians as Hostages during the period 2017 to 2019   | LSFAQ 1509 reg Indians as Hostages during the period 2017 to 2019   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S No                                                                | Name of Country                                                     | Number of Indians Kidnapped/held hostages in foreign countries      |
| 1                                                                   | Afghanistan                                                         | 9                                                                   |
| 2                                                                   | Cuba                                                                | 2                                                                   |
| 3                                                                   | Iraq                                                                | 1                                                                   |
| 4                                                                   | Kenya                                                               | 10                                                                  |
| 5                                                                   | Myanmar                                                             | 5                                                                   |
| 6                                                                   | Nigeria                                                             | 32                                                                  |
| 7                                                                   | Serbia                                                              | 1                                                                   |
| 8                                                                   | South Africa                                                        | 3                                                                   |
| 9                                                                   | South Sudan                                                         | 2                                                                   |
| Total                                                               | Total                                                               | 65                                                                  |

***