Gunmen abducted five Indian nationals working for a company engaged in electrification projects in Mali near Kobri, in the western part of the country, on Thursday. The abduction has highlighted the worsening security crisis and surging jihadist violence plaguing the West African nation.

A representative of the company confirmed to news agency AFP on Friday that the five workers were kidnapped. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction yet.

Mounting Turmoil In Junta-Ruled Mali

The kidnapping is the latest in a line of security setbacks for Mali, now ruled by a military junta following two coups in 2020 and 2021. The country has emerged as the epicenter of a regional crisis fanned by powerful militant groups.

Terror Links : The surging unrest is largely blamed on organized

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