A government official said on Wednesday, that Catholic priest 'Tom Uzhunnalil' from Kerala who abducted in Yemen is safe. As per the official, " It is now clear that the priest is not in the custody of the Islamic State terror group but with anti-government forces in Yemen. Last minute efforts are underway and his release is imminent".

Militants shove into an old people's home set up by the Missionaries of Charity in 1992, and killed many including four nuns out of which one was Indian. The militants abducted Uzhunnalil and there was no word from him until last week.

Federal Bureau of Investigation, the local Indian community and the Vatican in Yemen are all putting efforts to secure his safe release.