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2 Indians shot dead in Niger, third kidnapped by armed group; embassy seeks safe release
Two Indian nationals were killed and one abducted by gunmen in Niger's Dosso region. Source: AFP
Gunmen in Niger's southwest Dosso region killed at least two Indian nationals and kidnapped a third in a violent attack, Indian authorities reported, marking the latest assault on foreigners in the conflict-ravaged country.2
The Indian Embassy in Niger posted on X Friday (July 18) that the attack took place on Tuesday. The embassy is coordinating with local authorities to repatriate the bodies of the deceased and secure the safe release of the abducted individual.
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'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,' the embassy wrote.
'Mission in Niamey is in touch with local authorities to repatriate mortal remains and ensure safe release of the abducted Indian. All Indians in Niger are advised to remain vigilant.'
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… — India in Niger (@IndiainNiger) July 18, 2025
According to local media in Niger, the victims were workers at a construction site in Dosso, about 140 kilometres (87 miles) from the capital, Niamey.
Foreigners have increasingly become targets of armed groups in Niger.
This year alone, several abductions have occurred, including an Austrian woman who has worked as an aid worker in Niger for over 20 years, a Swiss woman taken from her home in April, and five Indian workers also kidnapped in April, reported Associated Press (AP).
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Niger has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency tied to al-Qaida and the Islamic State for years, a crisis that analysts say has intensified since the military overthrew the government in July 2023, struggling to quell violence in key areas.
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project reported that June was one of Niger's deadliest months on record, with Islamic State-backed fighters launching a major offensive in the Tillaberi and Dosso regions, killing over 100 civilians in a resurgence of mass atrocities in rural communities.
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