The security situation in Mali has deteriorated following a series of coordinated attacks by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, resulting in the kidnapping of three Indian nationals. Among those abducted is P. Venkataraman, a 28-year-old resident of Odisha's Ganjam district. The kidnapping occurred on July 1st during an assault on the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, western Mali, where the men were employed.
The attack on the Diamond Cement Factory, which employs foreign workers, was part of a broader wave of coordinated jihadist attacks targeting military, administrative, and economic sites across the Kayes, Mopti, and Segou regions. While no group initially claimed responsibility, Malian security sources attribute the kidnapping to JNIM. The Al-Qaeda affiliate has since claimed responsibility for coordinated terror strikes across Mali. Mali's armed forces reportedly killed 80 fighters while responding to the attacks.
India has expressed deep concern over the abduction and has urged the Malian government to take all necessary measures for the safe and swift release of its citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the kidnappings as "deplorable" and has assured that all diplomatic and security channels are being utilized to rescue the hostages. The Indian embassy in Bamako is in close contact with Malian authorities, local law enforcement, and the management of Diamond Cement Factory. The embassy is also in touch with the families of the abducted Indians.
P. Venkataraman had been working with Mumbai-based Blue Star Pvt Ltd and was posted to the Diamond Cement facility in Mali for approximately six months. His mother, P. Narasamma, filed a complaint with the Hinjilicut police station after losing contact with her son. She last spoke to him on June 30th and was later informed by Blue Star that her son was "in police custody". The family subsequently learned through local contacts and social media that he may have been kidnapped by terrorists.
The abduction of the Indian nationals highlights the growing insecurity in Mali and the increasing threat posed by terrorist groups in the Sahel region. Mali has been grappling with a decade-long Islamist insurgency, and the military junta, in power since 2020, has struggled to contain the violence. The situation is further complicated by the expulsion of Western forces and the growing reliance on Russian mercenaries, who have also been targeted by terrorist groups. The United States has warned that Islamist groups operating in the Sahel are seeking access to West Africa's coastline, raising concerns about the potential expansion of terror networks.
The incident underscores the continued risk to foreign nationals in Mali, particularly those working in mining or construction sites. Several unresolved kidnappings of foreign nationals, including Chinese workers abducted in 2021, remain a concern. These kidnappings are often seen as a tactic by armed groups to finance their operations or exert political pressure. The Indian government has advised its citizens in Mali to exercise caution, remain vigilant, and stay in close contact with the embassy in Bamako.
