Three Indian Nationals Abducted In Mali, Al-Qaeda-Linked Terrorists Suspected
Authorities have confirmed that three Indian nationals have been kidnapped by terrorists in Mali. The individuals were employed at the Diamond Cement Factory located in the Kayes region of western Mali. While there has been no claim of responsibility, terrorists affiliated with the banned group Al-Qaeda are suspected to be behind the kidnapping. The armed militants reportedly stormed the facility and abducted the workers during a coordinated assault.
This kidnapping is part of a wave of violent attacks that have recently swept across multiple regions of the West African nation. According to reports, the factory was targeted on July 1, when gunmen carried out an assault and took the Indian workers hostage. The group suspected to be responsible is Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked organization known for orchestrating numerous attacks throughout Mali.
On the same day, terrorists also struck several locations including Diboli near the Senegal border, and nearby towns such as Kayes and Sandere. Additional attacks were reported in Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui, both located northwest of Mali’s capital, Bamako, near the Mauritanian border, as well as in Molodo and Niono in the central part of the country, according to Mali’s armed forces, citing Reuters.
“The incident occurred on July 1, when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack on the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages. The government of India unequivocally condemns this act and calls upon the government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary steps for the safe return of our nationals,” MEA said in an official statement.
Calling the abduction a “deplorable act of violence,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged Malian authorities to ensure the workers’ “safe and expeditious” release. The Indian Embassy in Bamako is actively coordinating with Malian officials, local security forces, and the factory’s management in efforts to bring the hostages home safely.
Officials have also reached out to the families of the abducted individuals and are keeping them updated as the investigation and rescue operations continue. Highlighting the growing security concerns, the MEA has advised all Indian nationals in Mali to exercise extreme caution and maintain regular contact with the embassy for assistance or updates.
“Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate the safe and early release of the Indian nationals,” the statement added.
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