New Delhi: Indian Catholic priest Father Uzhunnallil was reportedly crucified by ISIL on Good Friday in Yemen, according to a group with whom he had close connection.

The news of his crucifixion by ISIL militants was put by a Dubai-based prayer group on it Arabic website.

Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Archbishop of Vienna, had earlier mentioned in his Easter Sunday homily about the incident. He also told the Austrian television news that he hopes it’s not happened, but have to fear that it’s a true news.

Father Uzhunnallil (56) was kidnapped earlier this month on March 4 by gunmen, from a missionary home in Aden where he was serving as a chaplain. Sixteen people were killed in the attack.

Neighbours had seen the gunmen driving away with Fr Uzhunnallil in a car. One of the survivors in the attack, Sister Sally, the order’s mother superior, claimed that the gunmen were from ISIL.

Minister of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj had said via Twitter that the country was working to secure his release in spite of the non-availability of an embassy there.