New Delhi: Two of the four Indians detained in an Islamic State-controlled area in Libya have been released and brought back safely to University of Sirte, the government said on Friday.
The ministry is also making continuous efforts for the release of the other two Indians.
“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,” Foreign Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted this evening.
Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson, MEA also posted on micro-blogging website: “Welcome news from Libya. Two of the four detained Indians brought back safely to University of Sirte. Our efforts continue for the remaining two.”
Earlier report said four Indian teachers were kidnapped in Libya, by the Islamic State terror group. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup confirmed the news at a press conference and said the abductions took place on July 29 at around 11 pm.
The Indians – two from Hyderabad, one from Raichur and one from Bengaluru – were reportedly kidnapped from Sirte town near Tripoli on Thursday evening. They had been teaching at the university for a year, said the ministry of external affairs. However, no ransom demand has been made yet, officials said.
According to the spokesperson, three of the four Indians are faculty at the University of Sirte while the fourth one works at the varsity.
“The MEA through the head of mission in Tripoli is ascertaining details,†Swarup said.
 “The ministry is in regular touch with the families concerned and all efforts are on to ensure well-being and secure the release of all four Indian nationals,†he added.
The area from where the Indians were kidnapped is under the control of the Islamic State, which has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria and has declared itself a caliphate.
The government had last year issued an advisory asking Indian citizens to leave conflict-hit Libya.
The latest incident comes as 39 Indians remain missing in Iraq. They were taken hostage last year at the height of the fighting between Sunni militants and government forces.
(With inputs from agencies)