Jammu, July 20, 2025 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the central government to intervene urgently in securing the release of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban district, who was allegedly abducted by terrorists in Niger a few days ago.
Abdullah’s appeal to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar came after Singh’s wife, Sheela Devi, made a public plea for help. “The Chief Minister has expressed deep concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh and urged the Hon’ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to take immediate steps for his safe return,” Abdullah’s office posted on X.
Sheela Devi said her husband, employed as a senior safety officer with Transrail Lighting Limited in Niger, went missing after a terrorist attack on July 15 in the Dosso region. “We last spoke on WhatsApp on July 15. The next day, I was informed by a friend that he had been abducted. The company claimed he fled into the forest, but I’ve received no confirmation since,” she said.
The Indian Embassy confirmed that two Indians were killed and one abducted in the incident. “In a heinous terror attack on July 15 in Niger’s Dosso region, two Indian nationals tragically lost their lives, and one was abducted,” the embassy posted.
Sheela Devi, a mother of three, expressed frustration over the lack of clear communication from the company and authorities. “It has been days, and I still don’t know what efforts are being made to bring him back. I also met the Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, who assured support, but the real action lies with the Ministry of External Affairs,” she said.
She appealed to the Centre to step up efforts to ensure her husband’s safe return.