Three Indians abducted in Kayes, Mali

On July 1, 2025, three Indian nationals employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, a city in western Mali, were abducted during a coordinated terrorist attack. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has expressed deep concern over the incident, which occurred as part of a broader wave of violence sweeping across the West African country.

According to the MEA, armed assailants stormed the factory premises and forcibly took the three Indian workers hostage. The same day, multiple coordinated assaults were carried out across at least seven towns in western and central Mali, including Kayes, Nioro du Sahel, and Niono, targeting both military installations and government facilities.

The attacks, which represent a sharp escalation of violence, were claimed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)—an Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group. JNIM, active across the Sahel region, has been involved in numerous high-profile terrorist attacks in Mali since its formation in 2017.

The Government of India has unequivocally condemned the abduction as a "deplorable act of violence" and has called upon the Government of Mali to take all necessary measures to ensure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted nationals. Senior Indian officials are said to be monitoring the evolving situation closely, and the Indian Embassy in Bamako, the capital of Mali, remains in constant contact with Malian authorities, local law enforcement agencies, and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory. The families of the hostages have also been informed and are being kept updated.

The MEA emphasized that the safety, security, and welfare of Indian nationals abroad remains a matter of utmost priority for the Government of India. As a precaution, all Indian citizens currently residing in Mali have been advised to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, and stay in close communication with the Embassy in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance.

The wider security situation in Mali remains tense. According to local residents in affected towns like Nioro du Sahel, there is a "tense calm," with businesses slowly reopening while fear and uncertainty linger. One shop owner remarked that although people have resumed daily activities, “everyone is talking about nothing but this attack.”

During the coordinated assaults, at least one civilian died from injuries sustained in the violence, and more than 10 others, mostly civilians, remain hospitalized with serious injuries. The Malian army reported that over 80 militants were 'neutralized' in the fighting. However, independent verification of these casualties is yet to be confirmed.

In response to the violence, Malian authorities have imposed a month-long overnight curfew in Kayes and have introduced tightened transport restrictions to help restore order. These security measures reflect the intensifying threat posed by Islamist insurgents, whose attacks have increased in both frequency and scale, despite earlier pledges by the military-led government to improve national security.

Mali has been grappling with a spiraling Islamist insurgency since 2012, which has spread beyond its borders into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, destabilizing much of the Sahel—a semi-arid region south of the Sahara desert. The continued attacks by groups like JNIM reflect the ongoing challenges faced by regional governments and international peacekeeping efforts.

India’s engagement at multiple diplomatic levels, both in Mali and internationally, reflects its commitment to securing the early and safe return of the kidnapped nationals. The MEA reiterated its stance that such acts of terrorism are completely unacceptable and must be dealt with firmly and collectively.

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