Kidnapped Indian’s family awaits news from Kabul

IANS/ChennaiThe family of an Indian Christian priest kidnapped by Taliban in Afghanistan is praying for his safety and seeking “good news” about him.“We are all in the dark about my brother. Please give us some good news about him and his safety,” said Albert Manoharan, brother of Father Alexis Premkumar who was abducted by Taliban militants three days back.“The information flow seems to be one way - from our side. There is no news about my brother in Afghanistan,” Manoharan said by phone from Sivaganga district where the family lives.He said his brother was working with an education charity in Herat province.“We spoke to him after the Indian consulate in Herat was attacked by militants recently. My brother said he was safe and there were no threats for him,” Manoharan said.According to Manoharan, an official of the Indian embassy in Afghanistan spoke to him and assured him that all steps were being taken to rescue his brother.He said the family members have petitioned the Sivaganga district collector who, in turn, told them that action is already being taken at the highest levels of the Indian government.Father Premkumar was in constant touch with his family from Afghanistan through Skype network.Meanwhile, Afghan security forces yesterday arrested a suspect over the kidnap, a media report said.Provincial security chief Samiullah Qatra said the unnamed suspect has been taken into custody for further investigations, Khaama Press reported.Police and intelligence operatives have launched a search operation to free the 47-year-old Premkumar, head of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), a non-governmental organsiation.

Premkumar was visiting a school for Afghan refugee children who had recently returned from exile in Iran and Pakistan.Meanwhile, local residents in Zendjan district said that the kidnappers might have taken Premkumar to Gulran district.No group has so far claimed responsibility for the abduction.