In Makraula Kalan, Sukhdev Singh's village in Ropar district of Punjab, life has come to a standstill.

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Sukhdev is one of the seven drivers, three of them Indians, being held hostage in Iraq by a militant group which calls itself Black Flags. The militants have threatened to kill one hostage at 2030 IST on Friday if their demands are not met.

Almost the entire village has gathered around Sukhdev's house to be with his parents -- Sher Singh (75) and Pal Kaur (68) -- in this hour of crisis.

Prayers are being held at Sukhdev's house and the village gurudwara for the hostages' safety.

Sarpanch Narinder Singh said he has appealed to the kidnappers to free the hostages as they belonged to poor families and were in Iraq only to earn a living.

Sukhdev's sister, Jaswant Kaur, married in a nearby village, has joined the family in praying for the well-being of his
brother and other hostages.

Ropar Deputy Commissioner Seema Jain visited the family on Friday to offer moral support.