New Delhi/Islamabad, July 22 Tilak Raj, IndiaSukhdev Singh, IndiaAntaryami, India

As the three truck drivers spelt out their names and nationalities before TV audiences across the world today, it was clear that India was no longer immune to the turmoil in Iraq.

As Indian authorities swung into action today, one of the truckers, Tilak Raj, who was allowed to address the TV camera, said the abductors had accused them of ‘‘working for the Americans’’.

The Indians are among a group of six, including two Kenyans and an Egyptian, who were abducted yesterday. The kidnappers, who identified themselves as members of the ‘Black Flags’, have threatened to behead the hostages unless the Kuwaiti company that has employed them leaves Iraq.

With the first 72-hour deadline set by the abductors ending on Saturday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed ‘‘deep concern’’ over the abduction. ‘‘The government is in touch with all concerned and is making all efforts for the safe return of the Indian nationals,’’ he said.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh addressed the Arab TV channel Al-Jazeera in an effort to reach out to the abductors. ‘‘We appeal to all those, who have influence, for the early release and safe return of the three Indian non-combatants who have been held hostage in Iraq. They were driving trucks for a private company, carrying aid,’’ he told the network.

In Islamabad for the SAARC ministerial meet, Singh also spoke to his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari. ‘‘He told me that he will do whatever he can to help and assist us in securing the release of the three hostages,’’ said Singh.

‘‘We have had good relations with Iraq and these three Indians had nothing to do with the war there. They are nationals of a friendly country. What has happened is a serious development, but we hope that the dark period will not last very long,’’ he added.

Singh, however, denied any move to ask Indian nationals in Iraq to return. The stage to do so, he said, has still not arrived. Back in New Delhi, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed is expected to issue a detailed statement on the crisis in Parliament tomorrow. ‘‘We are seized of the matter. We are extremely concerned. We are taking all possible steps to secure an early release of the hostages,’’ he told reporters.

It is learnt that Ahamed will categorically state that New Delhi has no plans to send troops to Iraq and point out the mistake the ‘Black Flags’ are committing in holding hostages from a country friendly to Iraqi people.

Meanwhile, the South Block today summoned Adday O’ Sakhab, Charge’ de Affairs of Iraqi Embassy, and sought information about the hostages.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is also trying to persuade Universal Services, employers of Antaryami, Singh and Raj, to shift its operations out of Iraq and resolve the crisis. The Kuwait-based company is also under pressure from Kenya and Egypt. While Universal has assured the Embassy of a positive development in the next 24 hours, New Delhi has not been able to make much headway in Iraq’s official circles as Thursday is a half-day and Friday a holiday. To speed up the tempo, Indian Ambassador to Iraq, B B Tyagi, has left for Amman via Dubai this evening and is expected to be in Baghdad by tomorrow evening. New Delhi is in constant touch with Swash Pawan Singh, Indian Ambassador in Kuwait, and M C Pandey, Charge de Affairs in Baghdad, asking them to convince interlocutors that India will not send troops to Iraq.