Vatican priest thanks Indian Govt. for rescuing him

Indian origin Vatican priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil has thanked the Government of India for facilitating his rescue from Yemen over a year after he was abducted by a terror group.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Father Tom Uzhunnalil and said, "He profusely thanked the Government of India, especially the Prime Minister for efforts to rescue him."

"He has also conveyed his thanks to the people of India for their concern and prayers for his release. He also conveyed his thanks to the governments and people who helped in his rescue mission," she said in a series of tweets, adding that India thanks Oman and Yemen for rescuing him.

Swaraj on Tuesday confirmed that Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted by Islamic militants in Yemen last year, had reached the Vatican.

Meanwhile, preparations have begun at his residence in Kerala's Kottayam district to welcome him.

Father Uzhunnalil was rescued on Tuesday.

He was reportedly kidnapped on March 4, 2016 by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Yemen, when they attacked a retirement home in Aden run by the Missionaries of Charity, killing sixteen people, including four nuns.

The Indian government, last year, confirmed that efforts were underway to ensure his early release.