India, July 3 -- India has expressed grave concern over the abduction of three Indian nationals in Mali, following a series of coordinated terror attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) across the West African country.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed that the incident took place on July 1, when armed assailants stormed the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes and took three Indian employees hostage. While JNIM has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks across Mali, it has yet to specifically confirm involvement in the kidnappings.

On Wednesday, New Delhi called on the Malian government to ensure the "safe and expeditious" release of the abducted Indians, emphasizing its "deep con...