Islamic State says it will execute captive Kerala priest in Yemen

Pic Credit: AP video grab

New Delhi: An Indian Catholic priest who was taken into custody by the Islamic State militants during a raid at an old age home in Yemen early this month will be executed, the terror group announced.

According to a report in India Today, Father Tom Uzhunnalil will be crucified by the IS today on Good Friday. Father Uzhunnalil hails from Kerala and has been held hostage by IS since March 4.

The news of the crucifixion first appeared on a Facebook post of a religious group in South Africa.

"Was informed that the Salesian priest, Father Tom who was kidnapped from the Missionaries of Charity Home in Yemen is being tortured and is going to be crucified on Good Friday. This calls for serious concerted prayers from all of us," the report quoted the post as saying.

However, the members of Father Uzhunnalil's congregation dismissed the concerns as mere "rumours". They claimed that they are yet to receive any information about his whereabouts.

The March 4 attack on the old age home in the Yemeni port of Aden left at least 15 people dead, including four Christian nuns from India, media reports said.

Earlier, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said that her ministry has been trying to ascertain the whereabouts of Father Tom Uzhunnalil and secure his release.