India, July 3 -- India on Wednesday expressed deep concern at the abduction of three Indian nationals in Mali amid attacks by an al-Qaeda affiliate and called on the government of the West African country to take all necessary steps for the safe release of the kidnapped persons.

The Indian nationals working at the Diamond Cement Factory at Kayes in Mali were abducted on July 1, when armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack on the facility, the external affairs ministry said.

No one has claimed responsibility yet for the kidnappings.

Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on military posts across Mali on Tuesday. Mali's armed forces killed 80 fighters wh...