India to evacuate 600 nationals from Iraq this week

Nearly 600 Indians will be evacuated from Iraq this week, the external affairs ministry said Monday.

"Departure of more than 600 Indian nationals will be facilitated during course of this week," ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Asked if they would contact the insurgent group ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)) which has overrun some parts of Iraq for rescuing the Indians in the conflict zone, Akbaruddin said: "We are ready to knock all doors. We are knocking on front doors, back doors and trap doors".

The spokesperson said 60 Indians have left from Najaf, another 31 will leave Tuesday and another 30 will leave Iraq the day after. From Karbala, nearly 230 Indians will be taken out in the next two to three days.

The Indian government will pay the air fare for those who cannot buy their own tickets, said Akbaruddin.