New Delhi, June 5: India has strongly condemned the attack on United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in Lebanon, which resulted in the death of a Serbian soldier and injuries to two others.
In a statement released by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, the country reiterated the importance of safeguarding the sanctity and security of UN personnel and facilities. India condemned the attack that occurred on Wednesday and called for action against those responsible.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also criticized the attack, stating that it could be classified as a war crime. He urged for an immediate halt to assaults on peacekeepers.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that the Serbian sergeant, Milovan Jovanović, was killed when a mortar shell struck a UN post near the Marjayoun area. He added that the two injured peacekeepers are receiving treatment at a UNIFIL medical center in southern Lebanon. Dujarric emphasized that attacks on peacekeepers are serious violations of international humanitarian law.
UNIFIL has initiated an investigation into the incident, seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding the attack amid rising tensions in the region.
According to UNIFIL, there has been a notable increase in shelling and missile attacks in southern Lebanon in recent days. The organization warned that violence in the area must cease immediately.
The Iran-backed group Hezbollah has intensified its attacks against Israel following Israeli strikes on Iran, escalating tensions further in the region.
Currently, approximately 10,800 peacekeepers are deployed in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, including about 1,000 Indian soldiers. Fortunately, there have been no reports of Indian casualties in the recent attack.
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