Two BSF men killed in Congo; India says culprits must be held accountable

New Delhi, July 27: Amid the ant-UN protest in Congo, two BSF personnel from the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo were among five people killed in the eastern city of Butembo.

 

 

"Deeply grieved at the loss of lives of two valiant Indian peacekeepers of the BSF in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were part of MONUSCO. The perpetrators of these outrageous attacks must be held accountable and brought to justice. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

 

 

 

BSF said, "DG BSF & all ranks express condolences on the sad demise of HC Shishupal Singh & HC Sanwala Ram Vishnoi on 26 Jul 2022, deployed with UN Peace Keeping Contingent (@MONUSCO) in Democratic Republic of Congo. Prahari Parivar stands by their families in these trying times."

 

 

The protests in Congo was part of a week-long call for demonstrations and agitations against the UN mission called MONUSCO. The situation turned violent in Goma (about 350 km south of Beni and a big MONUSCO base) with looting and setting the United Nations buildings on fire.

 

Both Beni and Butembo, where two BSF platoons were deployed on detachment since June 2, were on high alert. However, the situation in Butembo city turned violent on Tuesday as the camp of Morroco Rapid Deployment Battalion, where BSF platoons were stationed, got surrounded by demonstrators. Troops of Congolese Police and Congolese Army tried to control the crowd of over 500 people amid stones pelting. To contain the situation, the troops fired in air but protestors managed to breach the perimeter wall at three different places.

 

The second attack was more fierce and was accompanied by fire from small arms (automatics). Moroccan and Indian troops fired in self defence. Reports suggest that sporadic firing is still going on. Two BSF personnel succumbed to fatal injuries. MORRDB also suffered one fatality. Reinforcements of the UN Force (Army component) are on their way

 

In June 2021 and June 2022, the peacekeeping mission closed its office in Congo’s Kasai Central and Tanganyika regions. The mission has more than 16,000 uniformed personnel in Congo, according to the UN.