NEW DELHI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- India has demanded that the government of Mali secure the safe and expeditious release of three Indian nationals who were abducted two days ago in the West African nation.

The three Indians were employed at the "Diamond Cement Factory" in Kayes, Mali. They were abducted on July 1 when a group of unidentified armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises where they were working, and later kept them as hostages.

In an official statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs said, "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."

It added that senior officials of the ministry were closely monitoring the evolving situation and remained engaged at various levels to facilitate the safe and early release of the Indian nationals.

The ministry also advised all Indian citizens currently residing in Mali to exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant, and stay in close contact with the Indian embassy in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance.

According to media reports, there hadn't been any claim of responsibility for the kidnappings, though al-Qaida affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) had claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks across Mali on Tuesday. Enditem