NEW DELHI: One of the two Indians reportedly kidnapped by IS militants in Libya recently has been released, it has been claimed. Islamic militants had picked up Pravash Ranjan Samal, of Odisha, and Ramamurthy Kosanam, resident
of Andhra Pradesh, on September 8 from Sirte's Ibn-e-Sina hospital, where they were working. Sirte is under IS control.
According to a Government spokesman, Samal called his friend in Tripoli who in turn informed New Delhi about his release.
However, his family in Odisha claims that Samal spoke to them on phone on Wednesday that he had been released unharmed on condition that he will stay
back at his hospital job. His sister-in-law who took the call, however, said that he was speaking from an undisclosed location in Libya from his friend's phone.
And, Samal's elder brother Nayak told newsmen in Rourkela that Samal's voice was tense and that he had his doubts.
About the reported abduction of the Indian nationals in Libya, the official spokesperson said earlier, "It has been learnt by our Mission in Tripoli that two
Indian nationals, Pravash Ranjan Samal, hailing from Odisha and Ramamurthy Kosanam, resident of Andhra Pradesh, have apparently been taken from Ibn-e-
Sina in Sirte where they had been working, and detained.
"Our Mission in Tripoli is making further inquiries for confirmation of the incident 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 diplomatic level.
"All efforts are being made to ensure the well-being and secure early release of our nationals"."
In view of the deteriorating security situation in Libya, the Indian Government had issued several advisories asking Indian nationals to avoid travel to Libya.
The advisory issued last on September 4 has also advised all Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Libya and not to take up any employment in that country.
