India Demands Swift Release of Abducted Nationals in Mali After Factory Raid
India has expressed grave concern over the abduction of three of its nationals from Mali, following a brazen attack on a cement factory in the country&rsquo;s western region. The incident has further heightened worries about the deteriorating security situation in the West African nation, which has recently witnessed a surge in terrorist violence.
According to official sources, the abduction took place on 1 July when a group of heavily armed assailants stormed the premises of the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes. During the raid, the attackers forcibly took three Indian employees hostage. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions so far, although a jihadist organisation aligned with al-Qaeda &mdash; Jama&rsquo;at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) &mdash; has claimed credit for a wave of coordinated attacks across Mali around the same time.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi issued a formal statement on Wednesday, condemning the incident in the strongest terms. Indian authorities described the act as deeply reprehensible and called on the transitional government of Mali to take all necessary steps to ensure the swift and safe release of the abducted individuals.
India&rsquo;s diplomatic mission in Bamako has been actively engaging with local officials, security agencies, and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory. Senior officials from the MEA are closely monitoring the situation and are said to be in constant coordination with all concerned parties to facilitate the safe return of the hostages.
The families of the abducted workers have also been contacted and are being kept informed of developments. In the meantime, Indian citizens residing in Mali have been advised to exercise maximum caution, maintain heightened vigilance, and remain in close contact with the Indian Embassy for assistance and updates.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian nationals abroad and assured that every possible measure is being taken to secure the release of those abducted.
This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in Mali and the broader Sahel region, where insurgent activity has significantly intensified in recent months despite ongoing international counter-terrorism efforts.

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July 3, 2025 | 13:40 IST