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India intensifies search for 39 missing Indians in Iraq through DNA samples

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India intensifies search for 39 missing Indians in Iraq through DNA samples

State governments are advised to coordinate with the Punjab government for DNA samples

Following the fall of Islamic State’s main bastion in northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has intensified search for 39 missing Indians who were believed to have been kidnapped by militants from a construction site more than three years ago.

Health Authorities have been engaged in collecting DNA samples of family members of the missing persons. The samples are likely to be sent to Iraq and Syria to be matched with people captured from fallen IS strongholds such as Raqqa, as well as bodies recovered during street-to-street battles and bombings.

“Our families from Gurdaspur, Ludhiana and Jalandhar were called to the Tehsildar’s office and asked to donate blood samples for DNA matching, A few of our samples are yet to be collected and we have been asked to return next week,” Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Majinder, one of the missing Indians has reportedly said.

The health department in Gurdaspur constituted a committee comprising duty magistrate Wariam Singh, pathologist Vijay Kumar and laboratory technician Malkiat Singh to conduct their DNA tests.

However, the process of collecting blood samples from the families of the missing citizens had begun soon after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently delivered a speech in the Lok Sabha that she would not declare the 30 Indians dead without concrete proof or evidence.

The MEA has asked Indian missions in Damascus, Baghdad and Erbil to be in constant touch with the local authorities, besides seeking help from American authorities for coordination on the ground, for the identification process.

“We are in touch with the local authorities who have access to the area. Once we have the DNA samples from the families, we can match with those in custody as well as bodies, suspected of Indians,” a source was quoted as saying.

The ministry has directed other state governments to coordinate with Punjab authorities in the process of collecting DNA samples of the families. Most of the missing persons, 25 of the 39, are from Punjab.

Earlier this year, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari, while visiting New Delhi had informed that his government has no substantial evidence on the missing Indians and they might have been taken away to Syria.

Sushma Swaraj had then told the Parliament that this government won’t end the search for the missing citizens without having proof of their lives or otherwise.

India News

PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

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Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

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PM Modi changes social media profile pictures to mark Operation Sindoor anniversary

PM Modi changed his social media profile pictures to commemorate one year of Operation Sindoor, with several NDA leaders following the move.

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PM Modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday updated the display pictures of his social media accounts to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The new image was seen across his profiles on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels.

The updated profile picture carries the text “Operation Sindoor” on a black background along with elements of the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in the word “Sindoor” has been stylised using vermilion, commonly associated with married Hindu women.

Operation Sindoor was launched a year ago by Indian defence forces and the Border Security Force along the western border. The anniversary was also marked by several Union ministers and NDA leaders, who changed their social media profile pictures in a similar manner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders were among those who adopted the commemorative display image on social media platforms, according to reports.

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