Two Indians rescued from IS in Libya

The Misrata militiamen fighting the Islamic State rescued two Indian citizens who were kidnapped from Sirte in Libya over a year ago.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj posted on Twitter early on Thursday that T Gopikrishna and C Balaram Kishan, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, respectively, had been “rescued”.

Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told journalists in New Delhi that Misrata militiamen had late on Wednesday got in touch with officials of the Indian Embassy in Tripoli after rescuing Gopikrishna and Kishan from the captivity of Islamic State in Sirte.

They also helped the rescued men call their families in India.

The Misrata militia is loyal to the government of National Accord, which is based in Tripoli, but has limited control over the rest of the country. The militiamen have been fighting the Islamic State and of late had substantial success in regaining control over Sirte.

Swarup said the officials of the India Embassy would facilitate their return.