NIAMEY: An Indian national was killed and another abducted in what India’s embassy termed a “terrorist” attack in southwestern Niger, while a third is listed as missing, it said in a statement on Friday.

The embassy further said it was working to secure the release of the person abducted in the attack, which took place near the Nigerian border on Tuesday.

Local sources said 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 from the capital Niamey.

The region, where the incident took place, borders both Nigeria and Benin, where attacks regularly target civilians, the army and also a giant oil pipeline transporting crude from Niger to Benin.

The authorities generally blame such attacks on “terrorists” or “bandits”.

Dosso borders the western town of Tillaberi near the borders with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which has become a stronghold for anti-government groups.

Urging Indian nationals in Niger to be “vigilant”, the embassy in Niamey said it was in contact with the employer and families of the victims, as well as the Nigerien government, to facilitate repatriation of the dead man’s remains.

Local sources and social media posts suggested at least one Nigerien soldier was killed in the attack, which authorities had not yet commented upon.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025