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July 31, 2015
Two of four Indians kidnapped by IS in Libya freed
NEW DELHI: The Government of India stated in the afternoon on Friday that two of the four Indians, three of whom teachers, kidnapped by IS militants on July 29 in Libya have been released and brought back to the University of Sirte where they were working. No ransom demand has surfaced so far. The four Indians are from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Those freed are Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar, according to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. She tweeted, "I am happy we have been able to secure the release of Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar."

Swaraj also expressed concern over many Indian nurses going back to Yemen where the situation was not normal. "Many Indian nurses we evacuated from Yemen are going back. That is a cause for worry. Situation not normal and we do not have Embassy there," she tweeted.

The Government of India frequently issues travel advisories warning Indian nationals against visiting countries troubled by violence.

Vikas Swarup, spokesman, Ministry of External Affairs, said the Government is making efforts to rescue the other two Indians also. "Welcome news from Libya. 2 of the 4 detained Indians brought back safely to University of Sirte. Our efforts continue for the remaining two," he tweeted.

The University of Sirte authorities are reportedly negotiating with the kidnappers on behalf of the Indian Government. It has not yet been confirmed whether the ISIS or any other militant group is holding them.

The Indians were kidnapped while on their way to India. According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, they were kidnapped 50 km away from Sirte.

Sirte is the home town of Muammar Gaddafi, who died in 2011. Sirte has come to be dominated by the ISIS, although there are several other militant groups also fighting for supremacy.

Last year 65 Indian nurses working in hospotals in Libya were trapped in the fighting that goes on in Libya. They were all brought home to India.

Also last year, 40 construction workers mostly hailing from Punjab were kidnapped by ISIS militants in the Iraqi city of Mosul. One escaped while the whereabouts of others are still unknown.

ALSO SEE: Four Indians in Libya kidnapped


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