Two Indians Killed, One Kidnapped in Niger Terror Attack; MEA Engaged in Rescue Efforts

In a brutal terrorist assault in Niger’s Dosso region, two Indian nationals were killed, and another was abducted, the Indian Embassy confirmed on Tuesday. The attack occurred on July 15 near a construction site approximately 100 km from the capital, Niamey. Unidentified armed militants ambushed a Nigerien army unit guarding an electrical infrastructure project, resulting in the deaths of two Indian workers and the kidnapping of a third.
The Indian Mission in Niger is coordinating with local authorities to repatriate the victims’ remains and secure the abducted citizen’s release. The embassy has urged Indian nationals in Niger to exercise extreme caution.
Niger has faced escalating jihadist violence, including a March 2024 attack by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) that killed 44 civilians. The U.S. State Department’s 2023 report noted Niger’s porous borders and limited defense capabilities as factors enabling terrorist recruitment and operations. The country has been under military rule since a July 2023 coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, triggering regional unrest and international condemnation.
The UN Security Council previously condemned Niger’s terrorist attacks, emphasizing accountability for perpetrators. However, the junta-led government’s capacity to counter threats remains strained amid diplomatic isolation and resource shortages.
With over 1,000 Indians residing in Niger, primarily in mining and infrastructure sectors, the attack underscores vulnerabilities faced by expatriate workers in conflict zones. The incident also highlights West Africa’s worsening security crisis, where military coups and jihadist insurgencies intersect.

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