Khartoum, Sudan – In a shocking incident highlighting the complex dynamics of the Sudanese civil war, an Indian national has been kidnapped by rebels belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the war-torn nation. The disturbing event took a bizarre turn when the hostage-takers, wielding guns, interrogated their captive about Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Adarsh Behera, a 36-year-old man from the Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha, India, was abducted in Al Fashir city, approximately 1,000 kilometers from Khartoum. He has been working in Sudan since 2022 for Sukarati Plastic Factory. Al Fashir has been under siege by the RSF since May 2024. The RSF, a paramilitary group previously associated with the Sudanese government, has been engaged in a fierce conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since 2023, resulting in a devastating civil war.
A video of Behera's captivity has surfaced, showing him seated between two armed RSF soldiers. One of the soldiers is seen asking, "Do you know Shah Rukh Khan?" Another prompts Behera to say "Dagalo good" to the camera, referring to Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as 'Hemeti,' the leader of the RSF. Behera's family shared another video with NDTV, where he is seen pleading for help from the Odisha state government, expressing concerns for his family and children. He was reportedly taken to Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, known to be an RSF stronghold.
The incident underscores the escalating violence and human rights abuses occurring in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region. The civil war, triggered by a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the SAF, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the RSF, has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that over 150,000 people have been killed and more than 14 million displaced. The RSF has been accused of committing mass crimes against humanity, including ethnic violence, rape, and the deliberate targeting of civilians.
The kidnapping of medical personnel and aid workers has also been reported, further crippling the region's already fragile healthcare system. The Sudan Doctors Network reported that six medical personnel were kidnapped by the RSF. The RSF is reportedly demanding $150,000 as ransom for the kidnapped medical staff.
The situation in El Fasher is particularly dire, with the city facing a siege and reports of widespread atrocities. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over 26,000 people have fled El Fasher due to ongoing clashes. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the RSF's actions, accusing them of ethnically motivated killings and systematic terror against unarmed civilians.
The Indian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding Behera's kidnapping. However, previous instances of Indians being abducted in Sudan have seen diplomatic efforts to secure their release. In 2017, two Indian petroleum engineers were released after being abducted in South Sudan, following coordination between the Indian, Pakistani, Sudanese, and Ethiopian governments.
This latest kidnapping highlights the vulnerability of civilians caught in the crossfire of Sudan's civil war and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The unusual questioning about Shah Rukh Khan adds a bizarre layer to the already grim reality faced by those living in the war-torn region.
