The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of three Indian workers by making a factory in the Kays area of Mali and urged the officials of the West African country to ensure their “safe and early” rescue.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday, “It has come to the notice of the Government of India that several military and government establishments were attacked by terrorists on 1 July at several places in western and central gardeners.”
The armed attack took place at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes. Condemning the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian embassy in Bamako is constantly in touch with the families of local authorities, security agencies and the kidnapped workers.
In its statement, the Foreign Ministry described the act as “condemnable” and confirmed India’s tough stance against the violence targeting its citizens abroad.
The statement of the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Bamako -based Indian Embassy Mali is in constant touch with the concerned authorities of the government, local law enforcement agencies and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory.”
It said, “The Government of India clearly condemns this condemnable act of violence and calls for all necessary measures to ensure safe and quick release of the hijacked Indian citizens. Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the emerging situation and are in touch at various levels to ensure safe and early release of Indian citizens.
According to several media reports, the Diamond Cement Factory in Kays was allegedly attacked by Al Qaeda group Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam Val-Muslimin (JNIM).
The attack was part of a series of attacks targeting Diboli and nearby Kays and Sandere cities near the Senegal border of Mali on Tuesday.
According to the armed forces of the gardener cited by Reuters, other attacks occurred in Molodo and Nono in Niror Du Sahel and Gogaui and Middle Mali in the northwest of Bamako near the border of Mauritania.
