47-year-old Prem Kumar, an aid worker, was abducted from Herat in Afghanistan by unidentified gunmen on June 2 last year.
Indian Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar, who was abducted by the Taliban in June last year, on Sunday thanked the Government of India for its effort to secure his release from Afghanistan.
"I want to thank almighty first. I also sincerely thank Prime Minister Modi as it is because of him that I am here, as well as all the officials of the Foreign Ministry; they have done a great job. The Government of India, especially the External Affairs Ministry, has taken a lot of effort to take care of me, to console me. Thirdly, I thank my own family and society of Jesus," said Father Alexis.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that he has been released. "Delighted at securing the release of Indian Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar from captivity in Afghanistan," Modi tweeted.
"Have spoken to Father Alexis Prem Kumar. Informed happy family of Father Alexis Prem Kumar of his safe return after 8 months in captivity," he added.
47-year-old Prem Kumar, an aid worker, was abducted from Herat in Afghanistan by unidentified gunmen on June 2 last year.
A native of Tamil Nadu, Kumar was working with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), an educational charity, as its Afghanistan Director and had been in the country for over three years.
Before moving to Afghanistan, Kumar had worked for the JRS, serving Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu.
Kumar had accompanied teachers on a visit to a JRS-supported school for returnee refugees in Sohadat village, 25-km from the city of Herat. He was kidnapped from the school as he was about to return to Herat, the JRS said.
Four days after the abduction, Afghan authorities had announced that three Taliban members had been arrested in connection with the case.
(With agency inputs)
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