Three Indian nationals have been abducted in Mali following a terror attack on July 1, 2025, by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The incident occurred at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, where the Indians were employed. Armed assailants stormed the factory premises and forcibly took the three Indian nationals hostage.

The Indian government has expressed serious concern over the abduction and is taking steps to ensure the safe and early release of its citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned the act of violence and has urged the government of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the immediate and safe release of the hostages.

While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the abduction, JNIM has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks across Mali on the same day, including strikes on army and government facilities in Kayes, Diboli, Sandere, and towns near the Senegal-Mauritania border. Mali's armed forces have acknowledged the scale of the violence, which forms part of the country's long-running insurgency. Mali has been battling Islamist extremism since 2012, with jihadist groups linked to both Al-Qaeda and ISIS operating across the country and spilling over into Burkina Faso and Niger.

The Indian Embassy in Bamako is in close and constant communication with the relevant authorities of the Government of Mali, local law enforcement agencies, and the management of Diamond Cement Factory. The embassy is also in contact with the families of those kidnapped. The MEA has also advised all Indian citizens currently residing in Mali to exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant, and stay in close contact with the Embassy of India in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance.

JNIM is an al-Qaeda-aligned jihadist group that is active in Mali and the broader Sahel region. The military-led government in Mali continues to struggle with terrorism, separatist unrest, and organized crime. India has strongly condemned the abductions and called on Mali to ensure the immediate and safe release of the hostages. "The Government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act and urges the Government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals," the MEA said in a statement. Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate the safe and early release of Indian nationals.