New Delhi, Mar 17 (IANS): Twelve idols and artifacts have been stolen from various centrally protected temples, museums, ancient monuments and sites under the Archaeological Survey of India in the last five years, said Minister of State for Culture Prahlad Singh Patel in Rajya Sabha.

While replying to a query in the House, the minister also said that the government has no information regarding stolen idols and artifacts and also whether they have been smuggled out to foreign countries like the US, UK, Switzerland, Australia and others.

The minister pointed that FIRs has been lodged in respective police stations and "look-out-notice" has been issued to all enforcing agencies.

The minister also said that so far a total 48 idols and artifacts have been retrieved and brought back to India.

"Out of 48, 35 idols and other artifacts have been retrieved to India in the last 5 years," he said.

Giving details of idols and artifacts stolen in last year, he said this year in February a Copper Kalasha was stolen from Sadashiva Swamy Temple at Nuggehalli in Karnataka - a Centrally Protected Monument.

In 2017, a stone of Stone sculpture of Nandi was stolen from Andhra Pradesh. Three artifacts were stolen in 2016 and six in 2015.