Niger terror attack: Two Indians killed, one abducted; Omar Abdullah seeks MEA intervention | India News
NEW DELHI: Two Indian nationals were killed and another, Ranjeet Singh from Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, was abducted in a terror attack in Niger’s Dosso region on Tuesday. The attack took place when unidentified armed assailants ambushed a Nigerien army unit guarding an electrical line construction project, according to ANI, citing a report by Arab News.Reacting to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday urged external affairs minister S Jaishankar to take urgent action to ensure Ranjeet Singh’s safe return.The chief minister’s office in a post on X said, “The Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon’ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet’s safe and swift return.”The Indian Embassy in Niger confirmed the attack and said it is working closely with local authorities. In a statement posted Friday on X, the Embassy wrote, “In a heinous terror attack on 15 July in Niger’s Dosso region, two Indian nationals tragically lost their lives and one was abducted. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Mission in Niamey is in touch with local authorities to repatriate mortal remains and ensure the safe release of the abducted Indian. All Indians in Niger are advised to remain vigilant.”Singh’s family, residing in the remote village of Chakka Kundi in Ramban, appealed to the government for help. Mohan Lal Sen in an interview with ANI said, “We want to tell Modiji to act on it. The Government of India should work to bring him back. We have been suffering for the last 5-6 days. He has little children. We are very worried about him—where is he abducted, has he eaten anything or not.”“We are very worried about his whereabouts. He has three small children, they are also worried. We want our son to come back home safe and sound,” added his mother.
