NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Gunmen killed at the least two Indians and kidnapped a 3rd throughout an assault in Niger’s southwest Dosso area, in line with Indian authorities, the most recent such violence focusing on foreigners in Niger’s conflict-battered territories.
The Indian Embassy in Niger stated in an announcement on X on Friday that the assault occurred on Tuesday, and that it was in contact with native authorities to repatriate the our bodies of the victims and make sure the secure launch of the kidnapped particular person.
Native media in Niger recognized the victims as employees at a development web site in Dosso, positioned 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the nation’s capital of Niamey.
Foreigners are more and more turning into targets of armed teams in Niger. A number of of them have been kidnapped this yr, together with an Austrian girl who has lived in Niger as an help employee for greater than 20 years, a Swiss girl seized from her dwelling in April and 5 Indian employees, additionally in April.
Niger has for a few years battled a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, a safety disaster that analysts say has worsened because the army toppled the nation’s authorities in July 2023, and has since struggled to revive peace in sizzling spots.
Based on the Armed Battle Location and Occasion Knowledge Undertaking, June was one of many nation’s deadliest months on report as IS-backed fighters launched a significant offensive throughout the Tillaberi and Dosso areas, killing greater than 100 civilians in what marked a return to mass atrocities in rural areas.
