5 Indians kidnapped in West Africa’s Mali as terror-linked violence by Al-Qaeda and ISIS rises

Armed terrorists have kidnapped five Indian nationals working on an Electrification Project in Mali, West Africa, raising serious concerns about the safety of Indian workers in African conflict zones, as per reports. Company and security sources confirmed that the abduction took place on Thursday near the Kobri area. 

The five Indians were reportedly part of power supply projects in Mali’s rural regions. While the remaining staff has been safely moved to the capital Bamako, no group has yet claimed responsibility.

Mali is currently under military junta rule and continues to face terror-linked violence by groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda and JNIM, which have deep influence in the region.

The incident has sparked fresh worry, especially since recently an Odia worker, Adarsh Behera, was also abducted in Sudan by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. 

A video had shown him with two armed men who were seen asking him questions, including whether he knew actor Shah Rukh Khan, and told him to say ‘Dagalo Good’, referring to RSF chief Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

Adarsh, 36, working in Sudan since 2022 at a plastic factory, was kidnapped from Al-Fashir. He is believed to be held in Nyala. His wife and two sons are in Odisha.