The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has voiced deep concern over the abduction of three Indian nationals from a factory in the Kayes region of Mali and has urged authorities in the West African country to ensure their “safe and expeditious” release.
“It has come to the knowledge of the Government of India that many military and government installations at multiple locations of western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists on 1 July,” the MEA said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to news agency ANI, the attack took place at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes.
The MEA, strongly condemning the incident, further stated that the Indian embassy in Bamako is constantly in touch with local authorities, security agencies, and the families of the abducted workers, reported ANI.
In its statement, the ministry described the incident as “deplorable” and reiterated India’s firm stance against violence targeting its citizens overseas.
“The Embassy of India in Bamako is in close and constant communication with the relevant authorities of the Government of Mali, local law enforcement agencies, as well as the management of Diamond Cement Factory,” the MEA statement read.
“The Government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the Government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals. Senior officials of the Ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate safe and early release of Indian nationals,” the MEA statement further said.
According to several media reports, the attack on the Diamond Cement Factory was allegedly carried out by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a group linked to al-Qaeda.
The assault was part of a coordinated series of attacks on Tuesday targeting Diboli near Mali’s border with Senegal, as well as the towns of Kayes and Sandere, reported ANI. Additional attacks were reported in Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui, northwest of Bamako near the Mauritanian border, and in Molodo and Niono in central Mali, according to Mali’s armed forces, as cited by Reuters.
(With ANI inputs)