Overview

• Three Indian employees at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes were abducted on July 1 during coordinated attacks on military and civilian sites across western and central Mali.
• Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed responsibility for the wider assaults but has not directly claimed the factory kidnappings.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the abductions as a “deplorable act of violence” and urged Malian officials to ensure the workers’ safe and expeditious release.
• The Indian Embassy in Bamako remains in constant contact with Malian authorities, local law enforcement, factory management and the families of the abducted workers.
• Senior MEA officials are closely monitoring rescue efforts and have advised all Indian citizens in Mali to exercise utmost caution and stay connected with the embassy for updates.