Four Indians teachers kidnapped by IS in Libya: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday informed that four Indians have been kidnapped by Islamic State extremists in Libya's Sirte. No ransom demands have yet been made said MEA officals.

TV reports said the Indians -- two from Hyderabad, one from Raichur and one from Bengaluru -- were reportedly kidnapped from Sirte town near Tripoli on Thursday evening. MEA officials said they had been teaching at the university for a year.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that they apprised about the incident at 11 pm that four Indian nationals, who were returning to India via Tripoli, were detained at a checkpoint approximately 50 km from Sirte.

“According to our sources all four were brought back to Sirte. We are in regular touch with their families and all efforts are being made to ensure their early release," Swarup said.

In July last year, India's Mission in Tripoli advised all Indian nationals to leave Libya using all available means. The MEA had issued an advisory saying: "In view of the current security situation in Libya, all Indian nationals are advised to move to safer places and avoid all conflict zones. They are further advised to use all available means for exiting Libya. All travel from India to Libya should be postponed till the situation improves."