Two more Indians, one from Andhra Pradesh and one from Odisha, were abducted in Sirte in Libya, that has been overrun by the Islamic State terror group. Two other Indians, abducted last month, continue to remain in captivity.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a statement that the two Indians, Pravash Ranjan Samal from Odisha and Ramamurthy Kosanam of Andhra Pradesh, “have apparently been taken from Ibn-e-Sina in Sirte where they had been working, and detained”.
He said the Indian 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,” he added.
Last month, four Indians were abducted in Sirte by suspected IS men. Two of them, who were employed in the University of Sirte, were released later.