Indian peacekeepers have rescued more than a dozen humanitarian workers who came under heavy firing from unknown gunmen in a town in South Sudan.
The troops, serving with the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were alerted about the firing in Pibor in the early hours of July 13, according to information released at the United Nations headquarters.
When they arrived at a humanitarian compound, about 3 km from a U.N. base, about attackers fired 150 shots from automatic weapons. The peacekeepers responded by firing warning shots in the air, making two groups of attackers to flee. It is estimated that about 40 offenders were involved in the incident.
In South Sudan, Indian peacekeepers find justice served in terms of cows
The humanitarian workers were evacuated from the compound unharmed as gunfire continued. They were taken back to the UNMISS base for medical check-ups and support.
The price of peacekeeping
As the incident unfolded, the Indian battalion was alerted about an attempt to infiltrate another humanitarian compound nearby. They responded quickly by sending a team, which forced the offenders to flee. The peacekeeping contingent sent troops to check on other humanitarian compounds in the area and conducted a patrol in the town later that morning.
As of June 2017, as many as 7676 Indian peacekeepers are serving in UNMISS, including 6849 troops and 760 police personnel.