Kidnapped Jesuit priest released by Taliban

Fr Alexis Prem Kumar SJ was abducted by Taliban gunmen in June last year

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An Indian Jesuit priest who was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan last year has been released. Fr Alexis Prem Kumar SJ, who worked for three years as Afghanistan country director for Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Herat province, was abducted by Taliban gunmen in June 2014. He has now been released after eight months in captivity. Fr Kumar's release was negotiated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who tweeted on Sunday:

Have spoken to Father Alexis Prem Kumar. Informed happy family of Father Alexis Prem Kumar of his safe return after 8 months in captivity.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2015

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