Niger terror attack: Two Indians killed, one abducted in Dosso region

Ganesh Karmali's family in India

Two Indian nationals were killed and another abducted in a brutal terror attack on July 15 in Niger’s restive Dosso region, the Indian Embassy in Niamey confirmed on Friday. The victims were reportedly migrant workers employed at a construction site secured by local military forces.

Reportedly, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Nigerien army unit guarding the site, located roughly 130 kilometres from the capital city, Niamey. The attack left a total of six people dead, including two Indian workers. One Indian national was kidnapped by the attackers.

Describing the incident as a “heinous terror attack,” the Indian mission expressed its condolences via social media. “Two Indian nationals tragically lost their lives and one was abducted. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” the Embassy posted on X.

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

The Embassy stated that it is coordinating with Nigerien authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the victims’ mortal remains. Efforts are also underway to secure the safe release of the abducted individual.

One of the deceased has been identified as Ganesh Karmali, a 39-year-old migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Bokaro district. The second victim, Krishnan, is believed to hail from a southern Indian state. The abducted Indian, Ranjit Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, was reportedly working as a security guard for Transrail Lighting Ltd, the company employing all the victims.

Family members of Karmali said his brother-in-law, Premlal Karmali, who also worked at the same site, was injured in the attack and is currently under police protection in Niger along with four other workers from Jharkhand seeking to return home.

Shikha Lakra, head of the Jharkhand Labour Department’s Migrant Workers Control Room, confirmed that Ganesh Karmali died during crossfire between the militants and security forces. “A process has been initiated to repatriate the deceased workers’ remains and bring back others who wish to return,” she said.

Karmali’s 20-year-old daughter, Sapna Kumari, said her father had assured the family that his company insurance coverage was worth Rs 40 lakh.

“But now we are being told the compensation will be just Rs 12 lakh. We haven’t even been contacted directly by the company...only the contractor is speaking to us. We want justice and for my father’s body to return home with dignity,” she said, states a News18 report.

The Dosso region, which borders Nigeria and Benin, has seen a surge in violence in recent years, with frequent attacks targeting civilians, military personnel, and infrastructure projects, including the massive crude oil pipeline from Niger to Benin.

Niger, currently under military rule following a 2023 coup, has been grappling with over a decade of extremist violence linked to jihadist groups aligned with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

In a previous attack on April 25 in the nearby town of Sakoira, five Indian technicians were abducted and 12 Nigerien soldiers killed.

The Indian Embassy has issued an advisory urging all Indian nationals residing in Niger to remain extremely cautious and vigilant due to the worsening security situation.