New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS): The government Friday said it has not given up hope on the Indians missing in Iraq, and added that the reports of them having been killed are not confirmed.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said one of the captives, Harjeet Bassi who managed to escape, had claimed that all others were taken to a forest and shot.

"There are contradictions in the story Bassi told... It is logical not to accept the statement. We have got six sources which said they have not been killed," Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha.

"We have got not just oral but written messages that say they are alive," she said, adding that the content of the letter cannot be disclosed.

Swaraj also said that two officers well-versed in Arabic have been appointed for this in Iraq.

"For the sake of hope, we have to keep the search on," said the minister.

Around 40 Indian men continue to be missing in Iraq after they were abducted by the IS.