Odisha youth abducted by Sudan rebels; family appeals for rescue

A young man from Jagatsinghpur district has reportedly been abducted by rebel forces in the violence-hit Darfur region of Sudan. According to reports, the victim, identified as Adarsh Behera, hails from Kotakana village under Tirtol police limits and had been working in Sudan for the past three years.

The family received distressing evidence of his abduction through a video and an audio clip sent by the captors, sparking widespread concern and prompting appeals for his rescue.

Kidnapped Amid Escalating Civil War

Sources reached out to his family, who described that Adarsh was working for a private construction company in Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur State, an area severely affected by Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the national army and the paramilitary groups.

The company had reportedly suspended operations for several weeks due to deteriorating security conditions.

However, about a week ago, Adarsh was allegedly asked by his employer to visit the office premises for routine work. It was during this visit that he was abducted by armed rebels believed to be linked to one of the factions involved in the Darfur conflict.

Family members said the kidnappers later shared a short video showing Adarsh in captivity, along with an audio message in Hindi, purportedly recorded under duress. In the clip, Adarsh is heard saying that the rebels have seized his phone and belongings and that he will only be released if humanitarian or government intervention is sought.

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Family’s Desperate Plea From Jagatsinghpur

The news of the abduction has plunged Adarsha’s family into anguish. His father, Khetrabasi Behera, broke down while recounting the moment they learned that their son was being held captive in a foreign conflict zone.

“We came to know there was some war in that country because of which he was unable to return. News then reached us that he was kidnapped by terrorists. It has been eight days since, and we have not heard from him, nor do we have any idea of his condition. We appeal to the Odisha government to bring him back to his home,” Khetrabasi said.

Adarsh’s wife, Sasmita Behera, also narrated her husband's recorded message, in which he directly appeals to Indian authorities for help.

“They have taken away my phone and belongings. If the Red Cross, the Odisha, or the Indian government makes an appeal for my release, they would let me go. They have not asked for any ransom. I would appeal to the Modi government and the Mohan Majhi government to evacuate me,” Adarsh reportedly said in the audio message.

The family’s home in Kotakana village has since turned into a gathering point for anxious relatives and neighbours. Adarsh’s wife and child are said to be in a state of shock, while local community members and panchayat representatives have extended support to the family.

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Embassy Alerted, Government Contact Initiated

Following the family’s request, sources confirmed that the matter has been brought to the attention of the Indian Embassy in Sudan, which is monitoring the situation amid ongoing instability in the Darfur region.

Sources in the Jagatsinghpur administration said details of the incident have also been shared with the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office and the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Diplomatic channels are being activated to verify the authenticity of the abduction footage and trace the victim’s location through local intermediaries.

Given the volatile security environment in Sudan, communication lines remain disrupted, making rescue coordination challenging. Officials indicated that the embassy has sought assistance from international humanitarian agencies operating in the area, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to verify the status of Indian nationals reportedly caught in the conflict.