On Twitter, Harsimrat wrote, Deeply shocked to hear from Sushma Swaraj Ji about the 39 missing Indians in Iraq, being dead. They were reportedly abducted by ISIS in 2014. My heart goes out to their families who have lost their hope to bring them back alive. May the almighty grant peace to the departed souls.
ALSO READ: 39 Indians abducted by ISIS in Iraq are dead, confirms Sushma Swaraj
Harsimrat Kaur Badal said Swaraj did not declare them dead till she had some concrete proof. Swaraj and I personally met the family of the abducted for about 12-15 times.
Today in the parliament, Swaraj told that the confirmation of news was given by Martyrs' Foundation which conducted the DNA tests of the bodies. She said the mass grave had exactly 39 bodies, with distinctive features like long hair, non-Iraqi shoes, and IDs.
"Their bodies were spotted using deep penetration radar from mount in Badoosh. The bodies were then sent to Baghdad for DNA testing. The bodies were exhumed from mass graves and their identities confirmed by DNA tests. DNA testing by Martyrs Foundation has established identity of 38 Indians while there has been 70 per cent matching of the DNA for the 39th person," she said.
The minister said thirty-one nationals belonged to Punjab, four were from Himachal Pradesh, while the rest were from Bihar and West Bengal. The bodies will be handed over to their respective families so that final rites can be conducted.