Two of four Indians abducted in Libya released
Two of the four Indian nationals who were recently abducted by suspected militants in Libya have been released, according to the Indian Foreign Ministry.
Vikas Swarup, a spokesman for India’s Foreign Ministry, said that two of the Indian nationals were brought back safely to a university in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte on Saturday.
Swarup also added that efforts were continuing for the release of the other two.
According to India’s NDTV news channel, one of the men released has also sent a mobile phone message to his family confirming that he is safe.
“We are safe here in Sirte University, do not worry,” the message read.
The Indian academics, who had been working at Sirte University, were kidnapped on Wednesday as they tried to travel home. They were heading for the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where they intended to catch a flight out of the country.
Indian media reports had earlier voiced concern that the ISIL terrorist group may be holding the teachers.
It was not still clear whether any cash ransom was paid for the release of the Indian nationals.
The Indian government has recently advised its citizens to “use all available means for exiting Libya” due to the deteriorating security situation across the North African country.
The ISIL terrorists earlier this year overran the airport in Sirte, which is considered the group’s first such military gain in Libya.
Libya is beset with a crisis as it currently has two rival governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the eastern city of Tobruk.
The ISIL terrorist group also entered the equation in Libya in February 2015 after releasing a video that purportedly showed the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians in the country.
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