Five Indian Nationals Kidnapped in Mali Amid Rising Unrest

Bamako: Five Indian workers have been kidnapped by armed men in Mali, officials and the company employing them confirmed on Friday. The incident took place on Thursday near Kobri, in western Mali, where the workers were engaged in electrification projects.

A company representative confirmed the abduction of the five Indians and said that other Indian employees have been moved to the capital, Bamako, for safety. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings so far.

Mali is currently under military rule and has faced persistent unrest since 2012, including coups, armed conflicts, and attacks by jihadist and criminal groups. Reports suggest that groups with links to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State may be involved in the latest abduction.

Kidnappings of foreigners have become common in the country. In September, two Emirati nationals and an Iranian were abducted near Bamako by the armed al-Qaeda affiliate group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). They were released last week following a ransom payment reportedly worth 50 million dollars.