Congress seeks PM Modi's clarification on 39 Indian hostages held by Islamic State

Congress on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarification on the fate of 39 Indians in Iraq, in the light of claim that they have been shot dead.

Harjit Masih (26), reportedly the lone Indian who escaped from the clutches of IS in Iraq, continued to maintain that all the 39 Indians held hostage by the militant group were shot dead.

"Revelation by Harjit Masih that all 39 Indians have been mercilessly killed by terrorists in Iraq is shocking," Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.

He noted that Modi government has always maintained that all the 40 Indians including Masih were safe quoting seven to eight sources.

"In the light of these damning revelation, the Prime Minister must personally state whether 39 Indians have been killed and his government has been misleading the nation," Surjewala said.

He added that if this was not the case, then government should say what is the evidence that Indian hostages were alive and by when will it be able to ensure their safe return.

"The Prime Minister, who always says 'India First', must now prove his words by ensuring safe return of Indian hostages or place full facts before the country," Surjewala said.

One of the 40 men, Masih, who had been abducted by the IS last year returned to India after escaping from the clutches of the terror outfit in Iraq. Media reports have quoted him as saying that the militant group had killed rest of the 39 Indians. However, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the families of the victims on Thursday that all the 39 Indians are alive.