New Delhi, July 3 -- The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed deep concern at the abduction of three Indian nationals employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali. The incident occurred on first of this month when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took the Indian nationals as hostages. The Ministry said in a statement that many military and government installations at multiple locations of western and central Mali in the west African country were attacked by terrorists.

The Embassy of India in Bamako is in close and constant communication with the relevant authorities of the Government of Mali, local law enforcement agencies, as well as the management of Diamo...