Five Indians were kidnapped in Mali on Thursday, according to a report by AFP citing their employer and a security source, as the West African nation struggles with increasing unrest and jihadist attacks.
The workers were kidnapped near Kobri in western Mali, the security source, who spoke to AFP anonymously, said. They were employed by a company involved in electrification projects.
“We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals,” a company representative told AFP.
“The other Indians working for the company have been evacuated to Bamako,” the capital, he added.
No group has claimed the kidnappings so far.
Mali is ruled by military junta
Mali, currently under a military junta, has been grappling with rising unrest attributed to criminal gangs and jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The deteriorating security situation has worsened the country’s economic crisis, with the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) enforcing a crippling fuel blockade.
Kidnappings targeting foreigners are common in the country, which has been plagued by coups and conflicts since 2012.
In September, JNIM jihadists abducted two Emirati nationals and an Iranian near Bamako.
According to AFP citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the hostages were released last week after a ransom of at least $50 million was paid.
kidnapped Indian nationals, Mali, jihadist violence, western Mali, electrification projects, gunmen
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