UN peacekeeper killed in clash in Congo

May 28th, 2010 - 2:20 am ICT by BNO News  

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) — An Indian soldier from the United Nations peacekeeping force (MONUC) was killed on Sunday in eastern Congo, the United Nations news announced on Thursday.

Corporal Naik Husan Lal was wounded in an exchange of fire after his patrol went to the aid of the Congolese national army forces caught in an ambush by unidentified gunmen near the Mabenga bridge, 20 kilometers away from Kiwanja. Husan Lal was taken to a hospital in Goma, the provincial capital, where he died a few hours later.

On Wednesday, a memorial ceremony was held in Goma for the Indian peacekeeper. Husan Lal was the 31st blue helmet in the 11-year history of MONUC to die under enemy fire.

A Congolese soldier and one civilian were also killed in the attack. Three more soldiers and one civilian were wounded during the ambush.

MONUC has helped restore a measure of stability and democratic process to a country torn apart by years of civil war and revolts that led to the greatest death toll since World War II, but fighting has continued in the east side of the African republic.

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