NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday voiced deep concern over the abduction of three of its nationals in Mali, a country grappling with a fresh wave of terrorist attacks. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the Indian workers, employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, were taken hostage during a coordinated armed assault on the factory premises on July 1.A day after the incident, India formally called upon the Mali government to take “all necessary measures” to ensure their “safe and expeditious” release.“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,” the MEA said.While no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction so far, Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for multiple coordinated attacks across Mali on the same day.The Indian embassy in Bamako, according to the MEA, is in “close and constant” touch with local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the management of Diamond Cement Factory. It is also in contact with the families of those kidnapped.“The government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals,” the MEA said in a statement.It added, “Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate safe and early release of Indian nationals.”The government has also advised all Indian citizens currently residing in Mali to “exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant and stay in close contact with the embassy in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance.”The MEA reiterated that it “remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted Indian nationals at the earliest” and will provide “all possible support” to them and their families.