Indian captive killed by Al-Qaeda linked terror group in Philippines

Sydney, Mar 15 (ANI): A terrorist group in Philippines has reportedly executed an Indian man who had been held captive for over nine months.

According to Philippine authorities, the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in the southern province of Sulu, killed 36-year-old Biju Kolara Veetil, even though his Filipina wife, Elena Asanji, paid a ransom to the terrorist group.

Authorities said the group was holding Veetil with Malaysian hostage Mohammad Nasaruddin Bensaidin who was reportedly released after a ransom was paid for him.

The reason for the killing Veetil is unknown, The Age reports.

Antonio Freyra, the Sulu provincial police chief, said intelligence reports indicated that Veetil had been killed "but we need to get a confirmation from his wife or find his body."

According to the paper, another faction of the Abu Sayaaf on Basilan Island is holding Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell, 52.

There has been no confirmation about his fate since kidnappers sent a video to his wife a few days before Christmas in which he pleaded with his family to raise a 2 million dollar ransom. (ANI)