Five Indian nationals have been kidnapped in Mali, officials confirmed on Saturday, as the West African nation grapples with surging violence fuelled by al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked jihadist groups.
The abductions took place on Thursday near Kobri, in western Mali. The workers were employed by a company engaged in local electrification projects, a security source said.
“We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals. The other Indians working for the company have been evacuated to Bamako, the capital,” a company representative was quoted as telling by the AFP.
Following the attack, all other Indian employees of the firm were safely moved to Bamako, Mali’s capital. Officials are yet to confirm whether any group has claimed responsibility for the abductions.
Indian diplomatic authorities are believed to be in contact with Malian officials to gather more details about the incident and ensure the safe release of the abducted citizens.
Mali’s Worsening Security Crisis
The kidnapping highlights Mali’s deepening security and political instability. The country, ruled by a military junta since a series of coups beginning in 2020, has been battling a brutal insurgency for over a decade.
The al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has imposed a crippling fuel blockade in parts of the country, worsening an already severe economic and humanitarian crisis.
Kidnappings of foreign nationals are frequent in Mali, where repeated coups and jihadist attacks have eroded state control since 2012.
ALSO READ: Trump reiterates claims he stopped India-Pakistan war: ‘8 jets downed’
In September 2025, JNIM fighters abducted two Emirati citizens and an Iranian national near Bamako. They were released last week after a ransom of about USD 50 million was reportedly paid.
Born out of a Tuareg rebellion in 2012, JNIM has expanded its presence from northern Mali into the central regions and across borders into Burkina Faso and Niger.
Mali’s Political Shift and Russian Alliance
Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, came to power pledging to defeat the insurgency. However, his government’s decision to cut defence ties with France and the United States and pivot towards Russia has yielded limited results.
While Bamako remains under government control, locals fear that the jihadists could soon advance toward the capital. In several areas under JNIM influence, militants have enforced strict rules, including restrictions on women’s movement and mandatory hijab on public transport.
India has expanded its economic and infrastructural presence in Africa, including in Mali, where Indian companies are active in energy, construction, and agriculture projects.
The kidnapping incident may prompt the Indian government to review security advisories for its nationals working in high-risk regions.
