Odisha resident kidnapped in Libya

A worker from Odisha identified as Pravash Ranjan Samal is among the two Indians kidnapped from Sirte in Libya, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.

"The Indian mission in Tripoli has learnt that Pravash Ranjan Samal of Odisha and Ramamurthy Kosanam of Andhra Pradesh have apparently been taken from Ibn-e-Sina in Sirte where they had been working and detained," said MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

"All efforts are being made to ensure the well-being and secure early release of our nationals. The Indian mission in Tripoli is making further inquiries for confirmation of the incidents and is in touch with the local people, who can help in securing release of the two Indian nationals. The matter has also been taken up at the diplomatic level," he added.

Four Indians had earlier been detained near the Libyan coastal city of Sirte, an area that is under the control of Islamic State militants.