Niamey: A deadly terror attack in Niger’s Dosso region has claimed the lives of two Indian nationals and left one abducted, according to an official statement from the Indian Embassy in Niamey.
The deceased have been identified as Ganesh Karmali (39), hailing from Bokaro, Jharkhand, and another worker named Krishnan from southern India. Ranjit Singh, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, was reportedly taken hostage by the assailants.
The three were employed by Transrail Lighting Limited, an Indian company engaged in power transmission projects across Africa. The attack occurred on July 15, when unidentified gunmen launched an assault on a military unit assigned to protect a construction site, located approximately 130 kilometers from Niger’s capital. Six others also lost their lives in the ambush.
The Indian Embassy has urged all Indian nationals in Niger to exercise extreme caution, stating, “Two Indian nationals lost their lives and one was abducted in a terrorist attack in the Dosso region. All Indians are advised to remain vigilant.”
Diplomatic efforts are underway to repatriate the bodies of the deceased, while the search continues for the abducted Indian citizen.
Niger remains under military control following a coup in 2023 and is facing an escalating threat from extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS, particularly in vulnerable regions like Dosso.