A shocking event has shaken Mali’s western region! Five Indian nationals have been kidnapped by armed gunmen near Kobri, according to a security source and the company they work for. The workers were involved in electrification projects, helping light up the area, but now find themselves caught in violent unrest. "We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals," said a company spokesperson, adding that the other Indian employees have been safely evacuated to Bamako, the capital city. So far, no group has stepped forward to claim this kidnapping. Mali is no stranger to turmoil, ruled now by a military junta and facing increasing chaos from criminal gangs and jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. This gang warfare has plunged the country into deep crisis, worsened by a strict fuel blockade imposed by the notorious Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). Kidnapping foreigners in Mali has become an alarming trend since 2012, with jihadist groups often demanding huge ransoms. In one such chilling episode last September, JNIM abducted two Emirati nationals and an Iranian near Bamako, who were released only after a ransom of at least $50 million was paid. Mali’s deadly mix of political instability, jihadist violence, and economic hardships continues to endanger innocent lives. The fate of these five Indian workers now hangs in the balance, underscoring the perils faced by those working in conflict zones. As this tense story develops, the world watches with bated breath.