In a shocking development, five Indian nationals have been kidnapped in western Mali, reportedly by armed militants suspected to have links with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The abduction took place on Thursday near Kobri, where the victims were working for a company involved in electrification and infrastructure projects. Local police confirmed that the incident occurred when unidentified gunmen intercepted the workers’ convoy.
Following the kidnapping, Malian authorities swiftly moved the remaining Indian workers from the project site to the capital city, Bamako, as a precautionary measure. Indian diplomatic officials have also been alerted, and efforts are underway in coordination with local agencies to trace the abducted workers and ensure their safe release.
As of now, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. However, officials suspect the involvement of extremist groups operating in the Sahel region, which has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity in recent years. Security agencies are monitoring the situation closely amid growing concerns over the safety of foreign workers in the conflict-hit zone.
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