India on Wednesday expressed its grave concern over the kidnapping of three Indian nationals in Mali. The incident comes at a time when Mali is once again grappling with a new series of terrorist attacks. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), these Indian nationals were working at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes and were kidnapped during a well-planned armed attack on the factory on July 1.
The day after the incident, India urged the Mali government to take “all necessary steps” for the “safe and early release” of these Indians. The Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement, “On July 1, armed attackers attacked the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian employees hostage.”
Although no organization has yet claimed responsibility for this kidnapping, the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for several coordinated attacks in Mali on the same day.
The Ministry of External Affairs has informed that the Indian Embassy in Bamako is in constant touch with the local administration, security agencies and officials of the Diamond Cement Factory. Along with this, constant communication has also been maintained with the families of the kidnapped people.
The MEA clarified that the Government of India strongly condemns this violent act and appeals to the Mali government to take necessary action to ensure the safe and early release of the kidnapped Indians.
The statement also said that senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs are keeping a close watch on the situation and efforts are being made at various levels to ensure the early release of Indian citizens.
Along with this, the government has appealed to Indians living in Mali to exercise extreme caution, be cautious and keep in touch with the Indian Embassy in Bamako for any information and assistance.
The Ministry of External Affairs also reiterated that it is fully committed to the safe return of the kidnapped Indians and all possible assistance will be provided to their families.
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