Jesuit priest Fr. Alexis Premkumar Antonysamy, who was released from captivity eight months after he was abducted by the Taliban at Herat in Afghanistan last June, reached Delhi on Sunday. Officials said details of the efforts that led to his release could not be shared.
“God has saved me, I thank him first. It is because of [Prime Minister Narendra] Mr. Modi I am back in India,” Fr. Premkumar told presspersons, emerging out of the Delhi airport. The priest may meet the Prime Minister on Monday.
The External Affairs Ministry said Fr. Premkumar’s release was secured after it was “pursued by our leadership, including at the highest levels [by] the Prime Minister.” But the government released few details, and declined to disclose if the abductors had demanded ransom. Fr. Premkumar was visiting a Jesuit Refugee Service-support educational institution near Herat when he was kidnapped on June 2.
Have spoken to Father Alexis Prem Kumar. Informed happy family of Father Alexis Prem Kumar of his safe return after 8 months in captivity.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >February 22, 2015
