MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin says 900 Indians have been provided tickets to fly out of Iraq mostly through Iraqi Airlines. "It has been a difficult time for our embassies in for Delhi and Iraq. No mobile phones work in Karbala, Najaf and Basra," he said.

He confirmed that all 46 Indian nurses have been moved to a different location by the ISIS. The Indian nationals in captitivity in Mosul remain in captitivty, but are unharmed.

He said the nurses have been moved to another location. "Our understanding is that it is for reasons of their own safety that they have agreed to move out of Tikrit. Our embassy in touch with the nurses, we will try our best to ensure their well being. Officials were in touch with them as recently as 10 minutes ago. In zones of conflict there is no free will, but the nurses are safe are in transit right now."

He said that reports of a bomb blast were not true, but some of the nurses have been injured.