Two of the four kidnapped Indian teachers in Libya freed

NEW DELHI: Four Indian teachers were abducted in Libya by terrorists belonging to the ISIS while they were returning to India from Tripoli on July 29, but India has managed to secure the release of two, according to the external affairs ministry.

“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 tweeted on Friday evening.

MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the two Indians were brought back safely to the University of Sirte and efforts were continuing for freeing the remaining two.

It was not immediately known how they were freed. Swaraj had briefed PM Narendra Modi about the incident on Friday morning and steps taken by the ministry to secure their release. Officials told ET that around 300-400 Indians continue to stay in Libya after last year’s evacuation.

The situation in Libya is tricky with different areas under control of different tribal groups and terror outfits.

“This makes it difficult for ascertaining nationals if they are held by one group or the other,” an official noted. “Two days ago, on July 29th at around 11 pm, our Mission in Tripoli came to know that four nationals who were returning to India via Tripoli and Tunis, were detained at a checkpoint 50 km from Sirte. Of the four Indian nationals, two are from Hyderabad, one from Raichur and one from Bengaluru.