Gunmen kill 2 Indians and abduct a third in Niger
"In a heinous terror attack on 15 July in Niger's Dosso region, two Indian nationals tragically lost their lives and one was abducted," the Embassy said in a statement on social media platform X on Friday.
According to local media reports, unidentified gunmen attacked an army unit guarding a construction site in Dosso, about 130 kilometres from the capital Niamey.
The Indian Embassy further said it is working with local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains of those killed, and also working to "ensure safe release" of the Indian abducted.
The mission has also advised Indians in the West African nation to remain vigilant.
Ranji Kumar, labour superintendent of Jharkhand's Bokaro district, said on Saturday efforts are on to bring the body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand back.
Ganesh Karmali (39), a resident of Karipani village in Bokaro district, was among the two Indians killed in a cross-firing between police and terrorists on July 15 in Dosso region.
Ranji Kumar said the process to bring his body has been initiated through the state migrant control room.
"The deceased's brother-in-law, who is also employed in Niger, said Karmali's body has been handed over to the Indian Embassy by the company. According to information, formalities are being completed before sending the mortal remains," Kumar told PTI.
Foreign workers are increasingly becoming targets of armed groups in Niger, a West African country.
Several of them have been kidnapped this year, including an Austrian woman who has lived in Niger as an aid worker for more than 20 years, a Swiss woman seized from her home in April and five Indian workers, also in April.
Niger has for many years battled a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, June was one of the country's deadliest months on record as IS-backed fighters launched a major offensive across the Tillaberi and Dosso regions, killing more than 100 civilians in what marked a return to mass atrocities in rural areas.
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