Three Indian nationals were abducted in Mali following a terror attack by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes on July 1, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Wednesday.
A group of armed assailants stormed the factory premises, where the abducted Indians were employed, and forcibly took them hostage. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the abduction, JNIM has claimed coordinated attacks across Mali on the same day, including strikes on army and government facilities in Kayes, Diboli, Sandere, and towns near the Senegal-Mauritania border.
Mali’s armed forces have acknowledged the scale of the violence, which forms part of the country’s long-running insurgency. Mali has been battling Islamist extremism since 2012, with jihadist groups linked to both Al-Qaeda and ISIS operating across the country and spilling over into Burkina Faso and Niger. The military-led government in Mali continues to struggle with terrorism, separatist unrest, and organized crime.
India has strongly condemned the abductions and called on Mali to ensure the immediate and safe release of the hostages. “The Government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act and urges the Government of Mali to take all necessary measures,” the MEA said in an official statement.
The Indian Embassy in Bamako is in constant touch with Malian authorities, local police, and the management of Diamond Cement Factory. Indian officials are also coordinating with the families of the abducted individuals, while senior MEA officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
The ministry has urged all Indian nationals in Mali to remain vigilant and stay in close contact with the embassy for timely updates and assistance.
