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Bhubaneswar: An Odia youth was reportedly abducted by a terror group linked to Al-Qaeda in the West African country of Mali. He was among three Indians kidnapped by the terror outfit.
The victim has been identified as P. Venkataraman, a resident of Samarajhola village in Hinjilicut, Ganjam district of Odisha.
Expressing a serious concern over the abduction of the Odia youth, Odisha government started initiative to bring him back to home state from the custody of terror outfit.
Source said that an official request has been made through resident commissioner to African Embassy to facilitate the abductee's safe release.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik, who represents Hinjilicut Constituency in Odisha Assembly, expressed his concern over the kidnapping of Odia youth. He appealed to the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for intervention in the matter for the victim's safe release from the clutch of terror outfit.
Concerned to know that Panad Venkat Raman of Hinjilicut block of Ganjam district has been kidnapped by extremists in the African Country Mali. He has remained incommunicado since then, leaving his family in deep agony. Request Union Minister (@MEABharat) Shri @DrSJaishankar to…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 5, 2025
According to reports, Venkataraman was the employee of a private firm named 'Blue Star' and deputed to Mali to work for the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes.
He was reportedly abducted by terrorists during terror strikes at multiple locations of western and central Mali on July 1.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the incident and stated that a group of militants carried out a coordinated attack at the Diamond Cement Factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages.
Though, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), said that they were behind several attacks across Mali on July 1.
Condemning the incident, the Government of India called upon the Government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals.
The MEA said that the Indian Embassy in Bamako is in “close and constant” communication with Mali authorities, local law enforcement agencies, and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory.
