Efforts continue to release two hostages in IS captivity

Two of the four Indians released by Islamic State militants in Libya are set to arrive in India on Tuesday even as efforts are on for securing the release of the other two men. According to informed sources, efforts are continuing for the release of T. Gopikrishna and Balram Kishan, who are still in captivity of the IS militants in Libya's Sirte.

Andhra Pradesh government's representative in New Delhi, K. Rammohan Rao, spoke to Indian diplomat in Tripoli, Mohammad Rashid Khan over phone, and was told that the dean at the University of Sirte is in regular touch with the abductees.

Rao said all efforts were being to secure the release of the two professors Gopikrishna and Kishan. Rao also spoke to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj regarding the steps being taken to secure safe and early release of the two Telugu men. The families of Gopikrishna and Kishan here remained a worried lot as they have not heard anything directly from them since they were kidnapped on July 29.

Four Indians, all teachers at University of Sirte, were kidnapped allegedly by Islamic State militants when they returning to India via Tripoli and Tunis. A spokesman of ministry of external affairs had said they were detained at a checkpoint, 50 km from Sirte. Though two others hailing from Karnataka were released on Friday, there was no word about the two Telugu men.

Kishan hails from Hyderabad while the family of Gopikrishna, who is from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, also lives in Hyderabad. Gopikrishna has been teaching computer science at Jufra branch of the university since 2007 whereas Balram has been teaching English at the same university since 2011.

Vijaykumar and Lakshmikanth from Karnataka, who were released from captivity in Libya, are to return to India by Tuesday morning. The two men were staying at the Indian Embassy in Tripoli since Saturday after their release.