New Delhi: Two of the four Indians abducted in Sirte in Libya have been released, officials said on Friday.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted: "Four Indians abducted in Libya – I am happy we have been able to secure the release of Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar. Trying for other two."

Of the two men released, one belongs to Raichur and the other to Bengaluru, said officials.

The four Indian men, including three who were working as lecturers, were "detained" in Sirte in Libya – an area where the brutal Islamic State militant group holds sway.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Indian mission in Tripoli came to know at 11 p.m. on July 29 "that four Indian nationals who were returning to India via Tripoli and Tunis were detained at a check point, 50 km from Sirte".

(IANS)