Indian National Ranjit Singh Abducted in Niger, J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Urges MEA Intervention

Indian Abducted in Niger: Concerns have been raised from various quarters of the government after an Indian national named Ranjit Singh, hailing from the Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir, was kidnapped in Niger's Dosso region on July 15. 

Ranjit was working at a construction site when unidentified gunmen attacked, killing two Indians and abducting him.

Indian Embassy's Statement

The Indian Embassy in Niamey is in touch with the local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains of those killed and ensure the safe release of Ranjit Singh.

Amid the tense situation, the mission also cautioned all Indians in Niger to remain vigilant.

In a post on X, India in Niger, said, "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."

Arab News reported, citing local sources, that unidentified armed attackers ambushed a Nigerien army unit providing security at a construction site for an electrical line in the Dosso region, around 100 kilometres (63 miles) from the capital city of Niamey. 

J-K CM Omar Abdullah Urges MEA To Act

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken cognisance of the incident and urged the Ministry of External Affairs and S Jaishankar to intervene in the matter treating it as urgent. 

In a post on social media X, the Chief Minister's Office wrote, "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."

Abducted Indian Ranjeet Singh's Family In Distress

The family of Ranjit Singh has also pleaded the government for help in the matter.

Located in the remote village of Chakka Kundi in Ramban, the family of Ranjit Singh sat shrouded, unaware of his whereabouts.

In an interview to ANI, the father of Ranjit Singh, Mohan Lal Sen, said, "We want to tell Modi ji 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."

His mother, Sadhu Devi, is distraught, hasn't slept or eaten since the incident, and is desperate to see her son return home. The grieving mother, Sadhu Devi, told ANI, "Please bring my son back. I want him back. I haven't slept in nights or eaten anything. When will my son come back?"

With tears streaming down her face, she said, “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.”

Ranjit's wife, Sheila Devi, too, shared her plight and asked the government for swift intervention into the situation.

Speaking to ANI, Sheila Devi said, "He (Ranjit Singh) works in Niger as senior safety officer in a transmission lightning company. This a transmission line and the company's name is Transrail. On July 15, I tried to contact him, since then there has been no communication".

She said that when she was not able to contact her husband, she got in touch with the management who informed them of a terrorist attack which had taken place. In order to escape, people ran to the jungle and she was informed that her husband, too, ran into the forest.

She said that after speaking to her husband's colleagues, she got to know that Ranjit Singh was abducted by terrorists. "This news was confirmed to me on July 16," she said.

Sheila Devi appealed to the Indian government and the concerned authorities for her husband's safe return.

"I have no idea in what condition my husband is," she said breaking down into tears. "My entire life is at stake... I appeal Indian government to bring back my husband," she said sobbing.

Stating that she has an old and ailing family and three young children to look after and that only the swift action and intervention by higher authorities would help bring back her husband.

As the family awaits Ranjit Singh's safe return, the government and authorities are making possible efforts to locate him.

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