NEW DELHI -- Around 40 Indians working on projects near the Iraqi city of Mosul were kidnapped by suspected ISIS militants when they were being evacuated from the area Tuesday, local media said Wednesday.

They were kidnapped when fleeing the fighting between ISIS and Kurdish forces Tuesday, said Times of India online.

Mosul, the heart of the oil-rich region dominated by ethnic Kurds, was captured Tuesday by ISIS raiders before being retaken by the Kurd militia.

Indian government has got in touch with Iraqi authorities and dispatched former ambassador to Iraq Suresh Reddy to the war- ravaged country.

Reddy is reportedly on his way to Mosul.

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