An Indian Catholic priest is reportedly being held captive by the assailants in Yemen. The priest was missing since  a suspected Islamic State (IS) attack on a care home in Aden, Yemen, last Friday. An Indian nun was also among 16 people killed in the strike on the Missionaries of Charity run establishment, while another is reportedly missing.

Sushma Swaraj, External affairs minister,  announced on Saturday that,  Father Tom Uzhunnalil had been abducted. He is a native of Kottayam who lived at the home. He had arrived there from an unsafe place in Yemen for refuge.

Swaraj said that,  \"our camp office in (Yemen\'s neighbour) Djibouti is trying to ascertain the whereabouts of Father Tom Uzhunnalil so that we can secure his release.\" Last year,  India closed its mission in Yemen after evacuating most of its citizens.

Local reports said that, the 56-year-old priest was kidnapped before being driven away to an undisclosed destination. According to Kerala CM Oommen Chandy, there were no clues about Uzhunnalil\'s whereabouts. \"She (Swaraj) expressed doubts about the efficacy of the government there, but has assured that the Centre will do its best,\" he added.

On the other hand, Yemeni authorities have blamed IS for the attack. A  security official said that,  \"we are aware that no group has claimed the attack,  but information points to Daesh (an Arabic acronym for IS).\"

- Nandini