In a tragic turn of events, two Indian migrant workers were killed and another abducted in a terror attack on their worksite in the Dosso region of Niger on July 15. The Indian Embassy in Niger confirmed the incident, describing it as a "heinous terror attack". The embassy has expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and is in contact with local authorities to ensure the safe return of the abducted Indian and the repatriation of the remains of the deceased.
One of the deceased has been identified as Ganesh Karmali, 39, from Bokaro district in Jharkhand. The other victim has been identified only as Krishnan from a southern Indian state. The abducted worker is believed to be Ranjit Singh from Jammu & Kashmir. Karmali was working on a power transmission line project for Transrail Lighting Ltd, an India-based company, when the attack occurred. He was caught in a crossfire between local police and the militant group and died on the spot.
The attack took place approximately 100 kilometers from Niamey, the capital of Niger. Local sources indicate that unidentified armed attackers ambushed a Nigerien army unit providing security at the construction site. It's also been reported that at least one Nigerien soldier was killed in the assault.
Ganesh Karmali's family has been left devastated by the news. His brother-in-law, Premlal Karmali, who also worked at the same site, sustained bullet injuries but is now under police protection in Niger along with four other workers from Jharkhand who are looking to return home. Shikha Lakra, head of the State Migrant Workers Control Room, confirmed that the Indian Embassy is handling the matter and coordinating the repatriation process.
Niger, which is currently under military rule following a coup in 2023, has been grappling with violence perpetrated by jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and IS for about a decade. The Dosso region, where the attack occurred, borders Nigeria and Benin and has seen increasing attacks targeting civilians, the army, and a major oil pipeline.
The Indian Embassy in Niamey has urged all Indian nationals in Niger to remain vigilant. The embassy is working closely with the employer, the families of the affected individuals, and the Nigerien government to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased and ensure the safe release of the kidnapped Indian national.
This recent attack highlights the precarious situation faced by migrant workers in conflict-affected regions. In April of this year, five Indian technicians were kidnapped in an attack north of Sakoira, where twelve Nigerien soldiers were killed. Earlier this month, three Indian nationals working in Mali were also kidnapped from a cement factory.