Bamako, Mali — Authorities have confirmed that five Indian nationals were kidnapped in western Mali on Thursday as the West African nation grapples with escalating unrest and extremist violence linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated groups.
According to security officials, the workers were abducted near Kobri, where they were employed on a local electrification project. The company overseeing the work has verified the kidnapping and said all other Indian employees have been safely evacuated to Bamako, the Malian capital.
“We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals,” a company representative said, adding that efforts are underway to secure their release.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the abductions.
Mali, which has been under military rule since a series of coups beginning in 2020, continues to face deepening insecurity in large parts of its territory. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) — an Al-Qaeda-linked organization — has been blamed for numerous kidnappings, attacks on civilians, and economic disruptions, including a crippling fuel blockade across much of the country.
The latest incident underscores the growing danger faced by foreign workers and aid personnel in Mali, where abductions have become a recurring threat. In September, JNIM militants kidnapped two Emirati nationals and an Iranian citizen near Bamako. Those hostages were reportedly freed last week following ransom payments totalling an estimated $50 million, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Malian authorities and international partners are monitoring the situation closely. Efforts to locate the kidnapped workers are ongoing, though officials caution that the volatile security environment continues to complicate rescue operations.