New Delhi: Two of the four Indians, who were kidnapped in Libya, have been released, according to Ministry of External Affairs.
“Welcome news from Libya. 2 of the 4 detained Indians brought back safely to University of Sirte. Our efforts continue for the remaining two,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has expressed happiness over the release of the two Indians.
“Four Indians abducted in Libya - I am happy we have been able to secure the release of Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar. Trying for other two,” Swaraj tweeted.
All abducted Indian nationals are said to be teachers. They were in Sirte at the time of incident.
It is yet to be ascertained who was behind the abduction. Many, however, believe ISIS to be behind it as the region is controlled by ISIS.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup, after the abduction, said that the Ministry is ascertaining details through head of mission in Tripoli.
"We are in regular touch with their families. Of the 4 Indians abducted in Libya, 3 are faculty in University of Sirte and 1 works at the university. Two are from Hyderabad and two are from Karnataka," he said.
They said the area from where the Indians were kidnapped is under the control of the Islamic State, which has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria and has declared itself a caliphate.
Taking serious note of the prevailing situation, the Indian government had in July last year issued an advisory asking its citizens to leave conflict-hit Libya.
The latest incident came even as 39 Indians remain missing in Iraq. They were taken hostage last year at the height of the fighting between Sunni militants and government forces and efforts to get their release have not yielded any results.
