Abihilash, kidnapped Indian freed in Sudan

{image-tribesmen in Sudan_26072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Dubai, Jul 26: Abihilash P K, an employee with Indian Oil, who was kidnapped by tribesmen in Sudan on May 13, was released after 74 days of captivity, it was reported on Saturday, July 26.

''Abhilash is happy that his ordeal is finally over. He is now preparing to return home,'' President of Indian Nationals Abroad (INA) Nizar Kochery was quoted by Qatari newspapers as saying. The organisation had taken the initiative to accelerate the release of Abhilash, who is a former employee of Galfar Al Misnad Engineering and Contracting in Qatar.

''Except for pain in the leg, I am completely healthy and sound,'' Abhilash said in his first telephone call after being released on Thursday night. ''My legs hurt as I walked continuously for the last seven days.'' Abhilash was sent to the Security Department of Sudan by the kidnappers from where the Petro Energy Contracting Services officials took him to their location. Mohammed Tayeb, the Sudanese driver who was abducted, was also released along with him.

Negotiations by the governments of India, Sudan, Abhilash's employer and the Embassies of Sudan and India in Qatar had expedited his release.

Abhilash, along with Mohammed Adeep Shaikh, Biplab Biswas, Surjit Singh and Mohammed Tayeb were abducted on May 13. While Adeep and Singh had managed to flee from the kidnappers, the whereabouts of Biswas is still unknown.

UNI