Four Indian nationals have been held captive in the Libyan city of Sirte, said India's Foreign Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup.

In a statement on Friday, Swarup said that the four, who work as university professors, were abducted at a checkpoint near Sirte on their way back to India.

The spokesman gave no information about the group behind the kidnapping of the Indian nationals.

He said that his country is in touch with bodies concerned in Libya to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped Indians.

Daesh terrorist group has a strong presence in Sirte, the hometown of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.