New Delhi/IBNS, July 3 -- Three Indian nationals have been abducted in an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group's attack on several Malian Army positions, media reports said.

The attack was carried out by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam-wal-Muslimin (JNIM) extremist group.

The three Indian nationals, who have been abducted, were working at a factory in Male's Kayes.

In a statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed "deep concern" over the abduction of the nationals who were employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Republic of Mali.

The incident occurred on July 1 when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages.

MEA spokesperson...