Former Indian Army Officer Killed in Gaza by Israeli Tank Fire
Posted by admin on 2024-05-15 |
A retired Indian Army officer, Colonel
Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), who was working with the United Nations, lost his
life in Gaza when the vehicle he was traveling in was attacked in Rafah.
India expressed deep sorrow over his demise,
stating that Colonel Kale's remains would be repatriated with the assistance of
India's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, as well as its missions in Tel
Aviv and Ramallah.
Fatal Incident Details
Colonel Kale, aged 46, passed away while en
route to a hospital in the Khan Younis area from Rafah. According to reports,
the fatal shots were fired from an Israeli tank in war-torn Rafah, as confirmed
by the United Nations.
Investigations Underway
After the killing, the United Nations has
called for a full investigation into the matter. Moreover, Israel has also
ordered a separate investigation into the attack.
Colonel Kale's Background
Colonel Waibhav Anil had retired from the
Indian Army in 2022. He was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Regiment of the Indian Army and had taken retirement two years ago to join the
UN.
Colonel Kale's untimely demise marks the
“first international casualty” for the UN since the Israel-Hamas conflict began
last year. At present, the UN has 71 international staff members stationed in
Gaza.
Kale is now survived by a wife and two kids.
Attack Condemnations
UN chief António Guterres also expressed
sadness to learn of Kale’s death and injury to the other DSS staffer and
condemned all attacks on UN personnel. He said that more than 190 UN staff have
been killed in Gaza.
Noted Indian Screenwriter and poet Javed
Akhtar wrote on X, “Retired colonel Waibhav Anil Kale working with UN in Rafah
was Killed while going in the UN car to European hospital . That shows how
indiscreet Israel ‘s attacks are but they are not answerable to anyone . At the
most there will a formal apology to our government and that’all. My heartfelt
condolences to col kale's wife and two daughters. He was there to help bring
peace."
