The atrocities by the ISIS are not hidden from the world.
But the mass killing of 39 Indians by the terrorist organisation has jolted the country to its core.
In June 2015, 40 Indians were abducted by ISIS from Mosul, Iraq. One of them managed to escape but the remaining hostages were killed and their bodies buried in a mass grave.
The deaths were confirmed by Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of External Affairs, through a statement on Tuesday.
#WATCH live from Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj addresses the media on the issue of 39 Indians killed in Iraq’s Mosul. https://t.co/4S4yK3yAA2
— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
PM Modi offered his condolences to the aggrieved families. He also came out in support of Sushma Swaraj and General VK Singh who carried out the search operations for the bodies after concrete intel was obtained.
The MEA and particularly my colleagues @SushmaSwaraj Ji and @Gen_VKSingh Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul. Our Government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2018
According to ANI,
Among the deceased, 27 were from the Punjab, 6 from Bihar, 4 from Himachal Pradesh, and 2 from West Bengal.
As per a report by Business Standard,
Search operations led to a mound in Badoosh where locals said some bodies were buried by the ISIS. Deep penetration radars were used to establish that the mound indeed was a mass grave.
After the news broke, Twitter was divided on its stance: some users blaming the government for its late reaction, others blaming the opposition for politicizing the issue.
According to reports, the kin of hostages had learnt of their death much earlier through new channels at a time when government continued to maintain its silence on the issue.
Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 20, 2018
The 39 Indians who were captured by ISIS in Iraq were dead long back. There were many reports including eye witness account. Today, after years, Govt decides to admit it. So the big question is – What exactly is the Government trying to divert us from right now
— Joy (@Joydas) March 20, 2018
As Sushma Swaraj announces the terrible news of death of 39 Indians at hands of #ISIS, Opposition in Lok Sabha keeps screaming, sloganeering and banging the desks. Even by neta standards, this is highly irresponsible, uncivilised behaviour at a most sombre moment for the nation.
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) March 20, 2018
GOI didn’t kill 39 Indians, ISIS did. Shameful politicking & giving a pass to this virulent ideology will endanger us all sooner than later.
— Advaita Kala (@AdvaitaKala) March 20, 2018
Governments do what governments do. 39 Indians were killed. Let’s remember that the real enemy here is ISIS.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) March 20, 2018
Sushma Swaraj confirmed that the mortal remains of the 39 Indians were sent to Baghdad.
With everything said and done, 39 innocent lives have been lost. May their souls rest in peace.
We hope and pray for a time when these atrocities end.
Feature image by Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images
