An Indian national kidnapped in Afghanistan four months back by a terrorist outfit identifying itself as 'Mujahideen'has died in captivity.
Abducted Indian cook Paramananthan Simon, alias P Vasu, of Brahmakondam in Sankarapuram taluk of Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district was killed by his abductors in Herat, Afghanistan.
“I got a call from the Indian embassy at 10.30 this morning telling me that my brother had died. They told me they would get back to me after completing post-mortem,” Simon’s brother PG Subramanian, who works for Italian company Ciano in Kabul, told DNA over the phone. Even Simon worked as a cook for Ciano, serving the Italian military camp in Herat.
“I’m lost for words... I’ve got conflicting information. Some people told me the kidnappers refused to give the body unless one of their members was freed,” Subramanian said.
External affairs ministry sources confirmed, “Unfortunately, he (Simon) is no more. He died in the custody of his captors. Our officials are in touch with authorities to expedite retrieval of the body,” the sources said.
Simon’s family got the news in the afternoon. “We got an outstation call around 1pm giving us the shocking news. We contacted Subbu (Subramanian) and he confirmed he had heard the same. We are shattered. We were hoping he would be freed… only last week the kidnappers released a hostage for Rs5 lakh ransom,” Simon’s relative said.
Simon’s wife PS Vasanthi works as a farm labourer. They have a daughter Nirmala, 10, and son Ajith, 8. Vasanthi is suffering from a uterus disorder and needs surgery. She had pledged her mangal sutra for her husband’s safe return.
Simon stayed outside the military camp for Italians. He was abducted along with a driver and helper on October 13. Simon went to Afghanistan last year, at his brother’s behest.
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