May 19, 2016 / 12:23 pm
Fr. Tom Uznunnalil, the Indian Salesian priest kidnapped by extremists in March is alive and close to being released, according to Indian government officials.
AsiaNews reported Wednesday that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj of India has said that Fr. Tom is "safe and that the "last efforts (are being made to) ensure his release."
The Asian news source also reports that the priest is not in the hands of the Islamic State but rather other "anti-government forces" in Yemen territory, possibly Shiite Houthi rebels, who have been battling the government army for more than a year, though there has been no confirmation of the group's involvement in the incident.
Fr. Uzhunnalil, an Indian national, was abducted March 4 when four gunmen attacked a Missionaries of Charity-run retirement home in Aden, Yemen, killing 16 people, including four Missionary of Charity sisters.