J&K man abducted in Niger terror attack; family appeals to Modi govt for help; Indian embassy works for safe release | India News
NEW DELHI: The family of Ranjit Singh, a senior safety officer from Jammu and Kashmir abducted during a terror attack in Niger’s Dosso region, has appealed to the Indian government for urgent intervention to secure his safe return. Singh, a resident of Chakka Kundi village in Ramban district, was working for Transrail, a transmission line company, when he was taken hostage by unidentified armed attackers on July 15.In a tearful interview to ANI, Singh’s wife, Sheila Devi, shared her anguish. “My husband’s name is Ranjit Singh. He works in Niger as a senior safety officer in a transmission lightning company called Transrail. On July 15, I tried to contact him, but since then there has been no communication,” she said. She recounted how, after failing to reach him, she contacted his company, only to learn of a terrorist attack at the worksite. Workers had fled into nearby forests to escape the attackers, and Singh was among those who ran.The next day, on July 16, she received confirmation from her husband’s colleagues that Singh had been abducted by the attackers. “I have no idea in what condition my husband is. My entire life is at stake. I appeal to the Indian government and higher authorities to please bring my husband home safely,” Sheila Devi said, breaking down in tears. She also mentioned she has three young children and an ailing family to care for.Singh’s father, Mohan Lal Sen, also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. “We want to tell Modiji to act. The Government of India should work to bring him back. We have been suffering for the last 5-6 days. He has small children. We are very worried, where is he? Has he eaten anything or not?” he said.Singh’s mother, Sadhu Devi, is distraught. Family members said she has not eaten or slept since hearing of her son’s abduction.The Indian Embassy in Niger confirmed that two other Indians lost their lives in the attack, which took place near an electrical line construction site protected by Nigerien forces. The embassy said it is working with local authorities to repatriate the bodies of the two deceased Indians and to ensure Singh’s safe release.The terror attack occurred about 100 km from Niger’s capital Niamey. Arab News reported that unidentified armed attackers ambushed a Nigerien army unit providing security at the site.Niger has been in political turmoil since a July 2023 military coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The country faces security threats from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, with border regions and sparsely populated areas exploited for terror activities, as noted in the US State Department’s 2023 report.The Indian Embassy has issued a security advisory urging all Indian nationals in Niger to remain vigilant, while Singh’s family waits desperately for updates.
