Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was allegedly kidnapped ISIS-affiliates in Yemen was finally rescued with the assistance of Oman.
The suspected ISIS terrorists kidnapped him from Yemen on March, 4, 2016. The Islamic terrorists took him into custody after they stormed into the home for elderly which was managed by the Missionaries of Charity nuns in Aden.
As many as 16 people, including four nuns, were killed in the attack carried out by assailants, before kidnapping the priest. Uzhunnalil was serving as the chaplain of the house.
Reports claim that the health of the freed Kerala priest, remains a matter of concern. He is currently in Oman and will be flown to Kerala on Tuesday itself.
The priest was released following the intervention of the government of Oman.
I am happy to inform that Father Tom Uzhunnalil has been rescued.pic.twitter.com/FwAYoTkbj2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 12, 2017
The priest belongs to Salesians of Don Bosco’s Bangalore province. He had been working as a missionary under Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia. He hails from Kottayam.
The efforts to rescue the priest had been going on for quite some time. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had promised that no effort will be spared to secure the release of the priest.
Also read:Sparing no effort to trace Kerala priest kidnapped by Islamic State: Swaraj