16 Indians evacuated to safer zone in Iraq

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) Sixteen Indians have been evacuated from violence-hit areas of Iraq, the government said Friday.

Eight Indians were pulled out of Baiji, where Iraq's largest oil refinery is located, and eight more from Anbar province, the external affairs ministry said here.

"Of the 120 Indians in affected areas, 16 have been shifted out to safer zones so far," ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told the media.