Two profs return after 14 months in IS captivity
HOMECOMING Accompanied by officials from the ministry of external affairs, both of them landed at Hyderabad airport on Saturday
HYDERABAD: The two Telugu professors who were released from the captivity of suspected Islamic State terrorists in Libya on September 15 after over 14 months, reached their homes in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Accompanied by officials from the ministry of external affairs (MEA), the two professors — T Gopi Krishna and C Balaram Kishan — landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 4 am.
They were abducted near Sirte in Libya on July 29, 2015, along with two other Indians — Lakshmikanth and Vijay Kumar from Karnataka.
They were working at University of Sirte since 2007. While Lakshmikanth and Vijay Kumar were released within a day, the two Telugu professors remained in captivity for over 14 months.
Relieved at their release, their families performed special prayers in the morning. There was a steady stream of well-wishers at their residences.
The two professors requested the media not to ask details about life in captivity.
“Please don’t ask me anything about it now. For security reasons, the MEA has instructed GOPI KRISHNA, Upon his release from IS captivity in Libya
us not to disclose anything,” Gopi Krishna told HT in a voice choked with emotion.
“I am happy that I am back with my family, at a time when I almost lost hope,” he said.
Gopi Krishna said he was kidnapped while on his way to Tripoli to return to India on vacation. He said he had never
faced any problems during his eight-year stay in Libya. “Libya is such is a good country and Libyans are very good people,” he said. Balaram also refused to divulge any details.
“I don’t want to recall all those days. I am extremely happy that I am back in my country,” he said.