New Delhi: The Indian government has expressed deep concern and demanded urgent action following the abduction of three Indian nationals in Mali. The incident occurred on July 1, when armed assailants launched a terror attack on the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, a city in western Mali. The attack is reportedly linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate active in the Sahel region.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a group of armed individuals stormed the factory premises, where the three Indians were employed, and forcibly took them hostage. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for this specific abduction, JNIM has claimed coordinated attacks across Mali on the same day, including strikes on military and government facilities in various towns, signaling a surge in extremist activity.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said: “The incident occurred… when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages.”
The government added that “many military and government installations at multiple locations of western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists” on July 1.
India has unequivocally condemned this “deplorable act of violence.” The MEA has urged the Malian government to take all necessary measures to secure the immediate and safe release of the abducted individuals. The Indian Embassy in Bamako is in constant and close communication with Malian authorities, local law enforcement agencies, and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory. Furthermore, Indian officials are actively coordinating with the families of the abducted nationals, providing updates and support during this distressing time.
Senior officials within the MEA are closely monitoring the evolving situation, engaging at various levels to facilitate the safe and early return of the Indian citizens. The ministry has also issued an advisory to all Indian nationals residing in Mali, urging them to exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant, and maintain close contact with the embassy for timely updates and assistance. This incident underscores the escalating security challenges in Mali, a country that has been grappling with Islamist extremism since 2012, with jihadist groups linked to both Al-Qaeda and ISIS continuing to operate and expand their influence.
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