(Image source from: NDTV.Com)

Indian authorities on Thursday said that it may take some days to recover the body of an American killed in a hail of arrows shot by a tribe untouched by modern civilization.

The 27-year-old John Allen Chau was attacked as he set foot earlier this week on the remote North Sentinel Island, one of the Indian Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal that is restricted to visitors, according to police.

Dependra Pathak, the head of the region's police, told AFP that authorities sent a helicopter to the area and then a ship to identify where the incident took place.

"We maintained a distance from the island and have not yet been able to spot the body. It may take some more days and... (reconnaissance) of the area," Pathak added.

North Sentinel is dwelling to the Sentinelese people, believed to number only about 150.

Related content: American Killed on Remote Indian Island Barred to Visitors

To protect their way of life, foreigners and Indians are banned from going within 5km of the island.

In a post on John Chau's Instagram account late last night, posted by the man's family made several claims about John Chau's adventure along with a demand from them.

The post firstly confirms that John Chau belonged to a Christian missionary and had "nothing but love for the Sentinelese people." It also says that the American ventured out on his free will and that his local contacts need not be persecuted for his own actions. The family, through the post, said they "forgive those reportedly responsible for his death and asked for the release of those "friends" he had in the Andaman Islands.

Police have roped in field experts including Indian anthropologists, and tribal welfare and forest officers to help them tackle the situation.

"We have to take care that we must not disturb them or their habitat by any means. It is a highly sensitive zone and it will take some time," Pathak said.

Indian police said a murder case had been registered against "unknown" tribespeople and that six fishermen and one other person who allegedly helped Chau get to the island were arrested.

Authorities said one of the objectives of the arrests was "demonstrative effect, so that (the) entire world and locals know that no one can go there."

-Sowmya Sangam