Updated: November 4, 2025 | Source: PTI, ANI, NDTV

An Indian national, identified as Adarsh Behera, has been abducted by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group currently engaged in a bloody civil war with the Sudanese army. Behera, aged 36, was kidnapped from Al Fashir, a city located approximately 1,000 kilometres from Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. His abduction comes amid one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, as the ongoing conflict between Sudan’s warring factions devastates millions of lives across the country.

The Abduction in Al Fashir

Reports indicate that Adarsh Behera was taken by RSF operatives from Al Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, a city that recently fell under RSF control after an 18-month-long siege. During this period, the group reportedly cut off the supply of food, fuel, and essential goods to the city, resulting in severe shortages and a humanitarian collapse. Following its capture, Al Fashir became the latest in a series of cities overtaken by the RSF, marking a critical point in Sudan’s civil war.

Sources told Press Trust of India (PTI) that Behera may have been transported from Al Fashir to Nyala, another major RSF stronghold located in South Darfur. Local authorities and the Indian government are working to trace his location and ensure his safety.

Who is Adarsh Behera?

Adarsh Behera hails from Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha, eastern India. He had moved to Sudan three years ago seeking employment and was working at the Sukarati Plastic Factory, a private industrial firm, at the time of his abduction. According to family members, Behera had been living in Sudan to support his family back home and had maintained regular contact with them until the kidnapping.

His wife, speaking to NDTV, said that Behera is a devoted husband and father of two young sons, aged eight and three. “He went there to work and provide for our children. We just want him back home safely,” she told reporters, her voice breaking as she appealed to the Indian government for assistance. The family was informed of his abduction through media reports and confirmed video evidence circulating online.

In one widely shared video clip, Behera is seen sitting between two armed RSF soldiers. One of the soldiers can be heard asking him in English, “Do you know Shah Rukh Khan?”—a seemingly casual question amid the tense circumstances. The clip, which quickly spread on social media, has raised concerns about Behera’s safety and the motives behind his kidnapping.

Diplomatic Response from Sudan and India

The incident has prompted immediate concern from both the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Sudanese embassy in New Delhi. The ambassador of Sudan to India, Mohammed Abdalla Ali Eltom, confirmed that his government is aware of the reports and is coordinating efforts to ensure Behera’s release. Speaking to ANI and PTI, Ambassador Eltom described the situation in Sudan as “unpredictable” and expressed hope that Behera would remain safe.

“We have seen the reports of the Indian national who was abducted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but we are not in a position to confirm such reports officially yet. We pray that they keep him safe,” Eltom told ANI. “This militia is notorious for the atrocities that it can commit, but we hope that they will make sure that he’s safe and sound. We, as a government, are ready to play any role in ensuring his safe return to India, and we’ll cooperate fully with the Indian authorities.”

The ambassador further emphasized that the Sudanese government would “offer everything that we can in order to ensure his safe return,” acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. He added that efforts are ongoing to gather accurate information about Behera’s current whereabouts and condition.

Meanwhile, sources within India’s foreign ministry have said that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation. The Indian embassy in Port Sudan, which continues to operate despite the war, has been tasked with coordinating with both Sudanese officials and international humanitarian agencies to facilitate communication and possible negotiation channels for Behera’s release.

The Context: Sudan’s Escalating Civil War

The abduction of Adarsh Behera comes amid the backdrop of Sudan’s devastating civil war, which has plunged the nation into chaos since it began in April 2023. The conflict erupted following a violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as “Hemedti.”

Initially allies after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, the two leaders turned against each other in a bid for control of the country’s transitional government. What began as a political rivalry quickly spiralled into one of the world’s deadliest conflicts, engulfing cities across Sudan and leaving millions displaced.

As of late 2025, humanitarian agencies estimate that over 150,000 people have been killed and around 12 million displaced—nearly a quarter of Sudan’s total population. Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence, with widespread reports of mass killings, sexual violence, looting, and abductions, particularly in the Darfur region.

The RSF, originally formed from the notorious Janjaweed militia accused of atrocities during the 2003 Darfur genocide, has gained control of large swathes of western Sudan, including key cities like Nyala, El Geneina, and now Al Fashir. Their control over Darfur effectively isolates the Sudanese army, which still holds parts of the capital, Khartoum, and a few eastern territories.

A Dangerous Situation for Foreign Nationals

Adarsh Behera’s case highlights the growing risks faced by foreign nationals working in Sudan. Many expatriates, including engineers, aid workers, and skilled labourers from Asia and the Middle East, remain stranded due to the ongoing hostilities. The RSF and other armed groups have reportedly targeted foreigners for ransom, propaganda, or political leverage.

International organisations have condemned the abductions and called for the protection of civilians. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently described Sudan as the “world’s largest humanitarian disaster,” warning that millions are at risk of famine and disease due to the conflict.

Despite repeated ceasefire attempts brokered by the African Union, United States, and Saudi Arabia, the fighting has shown no sign of abating. The breakdown of state authority in Darfur and other regions has allowed the RSF to operate with near-total impunity.

The Human Cost and Hope for Rescue

For Behera’s family in Odisha, the news of his kidnapping has been devastating. His relatives and local community members have appealed to the Indian government for urgent intervention. “We are living in fear every minute,” said his wife. “Our children keep asking when their father will come home. We just want him to be safe.”

Officials from the Odisha government have also reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the family and press for diplomatic efforts to secure his release.

As of now, no group has issued a ransom demand or formal statement claiming responsibility for the kidnapping, though the RSF’s control over the region leaves little doubt about their involvement. Security experts say that negotiations in such cases can be complex, given the fragmented command structure of the RSF and the absence of a stable political authority in Sudan.

Conclusion

The abduction of Adarsh Behera serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by civilians and foreign workers caught in Sudan’s brutal civil war. As diplomatic channels work quietly behind the scenes, his family and the Indian government remain hopeful for his safe return.

For now, Behera’s fate lies in the hands of rebel forces operating in one of the world’s most unstable regions—a tragic reflection of a conflict that continues to claim innocent lives, far beyond Sudan’s own borders.