Vatican City, Sep 16 (IANS): Father Tom Uzhannalil, the Indian Catholic priest hailing from Kerala who was abducted by terrorists in Yemen, expressed his thanks to the Narendra Modi government for its concern to secure his release.

"I am thankful to the President (Ram Nath Kovind) and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and all the ministers concerned whoever has (expressed) concern," Uzhannalil said. 

"Thanks to the country leaders and countrymen. May God bless all of them for their response," he added. 

Uzhannalil said the terrorists who abducted him did not hurt him. 

He said that his captors would have responded to the missives that came for his release. 

Uzhunnalil, abducted by terrorists in Aden in March last year, was rescued from captivity from an undisclosed location in Yemen. The Sultanate of Oman helped to find and rescue Uzhannalil who is an employee of the Vatican.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier this week tweeted about the release of the Catholic priest.

According to reports reaching Kerala, after his release, the priest was flown from Yemen to Muscat. He later left Oman on a chartered flight for the Vatican.

He will be flown to Kerala later.