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Lt Col among 5 troopers killed in S Sudan
Rebels ambush UN peacekeeping team led by officer from Haryana
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 9
Five Indian Army soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel from Haryana, were killed in a gunfight with armed rebels in South Sudan, Africa, on Tuesday. Five others, including an officer, have been injured. The dead soldiers are from two Indian Army regiments deployed as a part of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). The incident took place around 8: 30 am Sudan time, official sources said.

Deadly gunfight Lt Colonel Mahipal Singh’s team was given a task of accompanying a convoy of UN vehicles carrying material from Gumruk --- in the trouble-ridden Jonglei state --- to Borhe The rebels attacked the convoy just 8 km outside Gumruk at 8: 30 am Sudan time. The encounter lasted over an hour While five Indian troopers were killed, five others, were injured

New Delhi is coordinating with the UN to bring back the bodies of the deceased. The deceased have been identified as Lt Colonel Mahipal Singh, Havildar Hira Lal and Havildar Bharat Sasmal (all 9 Mechanized Infantry), Naik Subedar Shiv Kumar Pal and Sepoy Nand Kishore Joshi ( 6 Mahar Regiment). Joshi hails from Pithorgarh in Uttrakhand.

The deceased Lt Colonel was leading the troops with his second-in-command Captain Bhagirath Singh, who has also been injured in the incident. Four other jawans have been injured. Reports reaching the Ministry of Defence suggest that 7 civilians were also killed in the cross-fire. Sources said two officers and 30 other ranks were given a task to accompany a convoy of UN vehicles carrying material from Gumruk --- in the trouble-ridden Jonglei state --- to Borhe. The rebels attacked the convoy just 8 km outside Gumruk. The gun battle lasted an hour. It is yet to be ascertained which group of the rebels attacked the convoy. “We will wait for an assessment from the UN,” said a senior MoD functionary.

After South Sudan got independence in July 2011, it has witnessed ethnic strife with Pibor county, the main base of UN peacekeeping force. More than 150 persons were killed last month in Jonglei in a battle between South Sudan's Army and insurgents of David Yau Yau, a local rebel leader. Indian casualties were airlifted in 3 UN helicopters from Jonglei to Juba. The Indian Ambassador and the Chief Medical Officer of the Army Medical Corps were at the Juba airport. The first priority will be top treatment for the injured at the UN mission hospital in South Sudan, official sources said. Indian Ambassador will also be meeting Special Representative of the UNSG in South Sudan, Hilda Johnson.

India is a major contributor to UN peacekeeping forces around the world. Around 7,000 Indian troops are deployed in UN operations in Lebanon, Syria-Israel border and in Africa. Defence Minister AK Antony has mourned the death of soldiers. “Their final rites will be with full military honours”, said Antony.

The families of the soldiers will get a compensation of Rs 40 lakh from UN besides the regular compensation by the Indian Army.