Seven Indian Nationals Abducted In Libya Released After 27 Days; Were Kidnapped On Their Way To Tripoli Airport | Check Details

The seven men hailing from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, were kidnapped from Asshwerif in Libya on September 14.

Image Courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: The seven Indian nationals who were abducted in Libya last month have been released , Indian ambassador to Tunisia has informed. India does not have an embassy in Libya and the Indian mission in Tunisia looks after the welfare of Indians in Libya. On Thursday, the External Affairs Ministry had confirmed that seven Indian nationals were kidnapped while on their way to Tripoli airport to catch a flight to India. The seven men hailing from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, were kidnapped from Asshwerif in Libya on September 14. They were working at a construction and oil field supplies company Indian envoy to Tunisia, Puneet Roy Kundal, confirmed the news of their release to new agency ANI. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said the government is in touch with the family members of the kidnapped citizens. "We would like to assure them that we are making all possible efforts, in consultation and coordination with Libyan authorities and the employer, to trace our nationals and secure their release from captivity at the earliest," he said. The kidnappers have contacted their employer and shown photographs as proof that the Indian nationals are safe and keeping well, he had said. In September 2015, an advisory had been issued for Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Libya in view of the security situation there. Later, in May 2016, the Government imposed a complete travel ban irrespective of the purpose in view of the much-deteriorated security situation. This travel ban is still in force. A mostly desert but oil-rich country, Libya slid into chaos and political instability following the toppling of the long-term military ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.