On Sunday:The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told to Catho;ic Bishops Conference of India that, “Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped by a terror group in Yemen, is "safe" and efforts are underway for his early release”

Father Gyanprakash Topno, spokesman of CBCI, told PTI that, “ a five-member delegation had yesterday met Swaraj who strongly refuted reports that the priest was not alive”

He added“Father Tom is safe and efforts are on for his release as early as possible," and "government will facilitate the priest's safe return to India".

Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who barrages from Kerala, was kidnapped past month by a terror group in Yemen, a conflict zone. He had gone missing in Yemen after the Islamic State militant group attacked a care home run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.

Gunmen had complained the refuge for the elderly earlier this month and killed a Yemeni guard before tying up and shooting 15 other employees.