Released by ISIS, Odia Youth Prabhas Samal reaches Delhi

Odia Youth Prabhas Ranjan Samal, who was abducted by the ISIS militants in Libya last month, has reached Delhi after being released from their custody. He thanked the Government of India, PM Modi, NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Lok Sabha MP Baijayant Panda for his safe return.

Prabhas, who hails from Karilopatna in Kendrapara district, had been working as a Biomedical Engineer at a Hospital in Sirte in Libya since 2002, but never faced any such difficulties. “We sensed problems soon after 2011, but never imagined that health workers would be targeted some day,” he said.

Recalling the event, Prabhas said he and three others were blind-folded and taken to some undisclosed location. “There was another Indian too. We were held captive for 10 days. Later, I was released with the help of some locals. I reached the Indian Embassy in Tripoli, which made all arrangements for my safe return to Delhi,” he added.

Prabhas’ family members in Kendrapara have rejoiced at his release. They thanked God and celebrated the news with all others. They are eagerly awaiting Prabhas’ arrival.