New Delhi, July 2 -- India on Wednesday (July 2) expressed deep concern over the abduction of three of its citizens working at a cement factory in Mali, as the West African country reels from a wave of coordinated jihadist attacks that left one civilian dead and several injured.

According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, armed assailants stormed the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes on July 1 and took three Indian nationals hostage. "The Government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence," the ministry said in a statement, urging Malian authorities to secure the safe and expeditious release of the workers.

The Indian Embassy in Bamako said it is in constant contact with Malian officials, local law enforceme...