Abducted Odisha youth Prabhas Samal freed by ISIS militants

A man from Odisha has reportedly been kidnapped by Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the Sirte region of Libya. Sirte is under the control of the Islamic State terror group, which is steadily expanding its influence in central Libya.

The sources said efforts are on to secure the release of Mr. Kosanam who was reported to be safe.

The news came after the foreign ministry said that he and another Indian national, Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam of Andhra Pradesh, abducted from IS-controlled city of Sirte where they had been employed. According to family members of Samal in Orissa, the ISIS released him on Wednesday evening on the condition of his working in a local hospital. Though he told he has been released, his voice was tense and edgy. “Pravash called me up today afternoon from some unknown person’s number and said he was released after giving a written undertaking in bond papers declaring that he would not leave the country and work there in a hospital”. Meanwhile, Kosanams son Pavan said they have contacted the local legislator and lawmaker to help them.

Samal’s cousin, Bibhu Padarbinda Nayak, however, said he was not sure if it was his brother who called up. The Ministry of External Affairs have assured full support for their release. A native of Dahimachha village in Kendrapada’s Marsaghai block, Samal has been in Libya since 2002.