Two Telugu workers kidnapped by militants in Mali
TELANGANA: Two young workers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were kidnapped in Mali by members of Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a militant group active in the Sahel region. The incident occurred near Kobri late last month and came to light only recently, leaving both families in distress.
Nalla Masa Praveen, 23, from Bandasomaram in Bhuvanagiri mandal of Yadadri district, and Ramachandra, 25, from Podarallapalli near Kadiri in Sathya Sai district, had been working as drillers for a Hyderabad-based borewell company. They had travelled to Mali last year for employment.
Families informed after phones were switched off
According to information shared with relatives, the two were returning from work on September 23 when armed militants intercepted them and took them away. The abductors seized their phones and switched them off, delaying communication to the Indian embassy and their families.
Praveen’s father, Jangaiah, told Sakshi that his son had called a day earlier and promised to return home once the work season ended. “We did not know anything until the company informed us. We are in shock,” he said.
Representatives of the borewell company are in touch with officials of the Indian embassy in Mali regarding ongoing efforts to secure the workers’ release. Company representatives have informed embassy officials that they are prepared to respond to the militants’ financial demands.
Group targeting foreign workers in Sahel region
Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, linked to al-Qaeda, has been carrying out abductions as part of what it describes as an “economic war” against the Mali government. The group has kidnapped 22 foreign nationals between May and October, some of whom were released while others remain captive. The militants have reportedly been demanding ransom for the release of hostages.
