The Islamic State (IS) militants abducted three civilians in a Libyan town near former IS affiliates' stronghold Sirte, a military source told Xinhua on Sunday.

Three family members, a father and his two children, were reportedly kidnapped from south of the town of Ageela, which is 100 km east of Sirte, a Mediterranean coastal city in northern Libya.

The source said the family were on a short trip in a valley and was taken by IS members to unknown locations Saturday evening, adding that the father later managed to escape.

Meanwhile, information from the security authorities of the nearby city of Brega confirmed that a body was found, likely to be one of the abductees, said the source.

In December 2015, forces allied with the UN-backed Libyan government defeated the IS affiliates and expelled them from Sirte. The remnant IS fighters fled to southern valleys and mountainous areas ever since.

The terrorists have irregularly set up mobile checkpoints on the road leading to the southern cities to scrutinize passing civilian cars in search of soldiers or security personnel to kidnap.

source: AFP