India has voiced deep concern following the abduction of three of its citizens in Mali, amid a series of terror strikes believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda affiliates. The incident took place on 1 July during a coordinated assault on a cement factory in Kayes, a town in western Mali.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the three Indian nationals, who were working at the Diamond Cement Factory, were forcibly taken hostage after a group of armed militants stormed the premises. The attack occurred as part of a broader wave of violence targeting several military and government installations across both western and central regions of Mali. Although no organisation has officially claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) — a jihadist group allied with Al-Qaeda — has admitted to carrying out multiple assaults in the region on the same day, raising suspicions of its involvement.
Describing the abduction as “a deplorable act of violence”, the Indian government has strongly condemned the incident. In its statement, the MEA called upon the Malian authorities to “take every possible step to ensure the safe and swift release of the kidnapped Indian nationals”. The Indian Embassy in Bamako, Mali’s capital, is reported to be in regular contact with local officials, security agencies, and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory. The embassy is also maintaining close communication with the families of the abducted individuals. Given the deteriorating security situation in Mali, the MEA has issued a fresh advisory, urging all Indian citizens residing in the country to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant at all times.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
