5 Indian Nationals Kidnapped in Mali: Embassy Working with Authorities Amid Rising Jihadist Threat

The abduction occurred on Thursday, but no organization has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.

The Indian Embassy in Bamako has confirmed it is working in close coordination with Malian authorities to ensure the safe release of five Indian nationals who were kidnapped by armed individuals in Mali last week. These five Indians were employees of a company engaged in electrification projects. They were captured by gunmen near Kobri in western Mali, as the country continues to face escalating unrest and violence from jihadist groups.

"The Embassy is aware of the unfortunate incident of the kidnapping of five of our nationals in Mali on 6 November 2025. The Embassy has been working closely with the Malian authorities and the company concerned to secure their safe release as quickly as possible," stated the embassy in an announcement shared on X.

The Embassy is aware of the unfortunate incident of kidnapping of five of our nationals in 🇲🇱 on 6 Nov 2025. The Embassy has been working closely with the 🇲🇱 authorities and the company concerned to secure their safe release as quickly as possible. @MEAIndia @PMOIndia

— India in Mali (@IndianEmbassyML) November 9, 2025

The kidnapping took place on Thursday, with no group stepping forward to acknowledge responsibility.

Mali, currently under military junta governance, has been battling to contain growing unrest attributed to criminal organizations and jihadist groups connected to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Abductions targeting foreign nationals are frequent in this nation, which has been afflicted by coups and conflicts since 2012.

The deteriorating security situation has exacerbated an already severe economic crisis in this impoverished country, where the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has implemented a crippling fuel blockade.

This group has intensified attacks on highways, fuel transports, and security forces, threatening to isolate the city from other parts of the country.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated organization, established in 2017, has widened its influence across Mali and the broader Sahel region, frequently targeting foreign workers, humanitarian staff, and industrial locations. JNIM jihadists abducted two Emirati nationals and an Iranian near Bamako in September. These hostages were released last week after a ransom payment of at least $50 million, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

In response to the worsening security conditions, numerous countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have issued urgent travel advisories, urging their citizens to evacuate Mali due to the "unpredictable security situation".