India making efforts for release of captive nationals in Libya

EAM Sushma Swaraj briefed PM about the steps being taken by the ministry to ensure the safe return of Indians

India is making all efforts to ensure the safe release of two teachers still held captive by Islamic State terror group (ISIS) in Libya, even as the two others freed were on their way to Tunis.

According to sources, government was making efforts to get the two Indians released from captivity.

The two nationals released earlier had reached the Indian embassy in Tripoli on Friday night. From there, they headed to Tunis today.

"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," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said on Friday.

She had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident as also the steps being taken by the ministry to ensure the safe return of Indians.

"On July 29th at around 11 PM, our Mission in Tripoli came to know that four Indian nationals who were returning to India via Tripoli and Tunis, were detained at a checkpoint approximately 50 kms from Sirte.

"Of the four Indian nationals, two are from Hyderabad, one from Raichur and one from Bengaluru. Three of them were faculty members at the Sirte University and one was working at the Sirte University branch in Jufra," MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said.

According to official sources, 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.