'Indian Missions Assisting In Repatriation Of Mortal Remains': MEA On Death Of Col Waibhav Kale In Gaza

Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), who was serving as a staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS), marks the 'first' casualty among international UN staff in Gaza. 

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said it is deeply saddened over the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), former Indian Army personnel who was working with the UN in Gaza. 

Kale, who was serving as a staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS), marks the 'first' casualty among international UN staff in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict started after October 7. 

"We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd.), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on 13 May 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Kale was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Gaza's Rafah region on Monday. 

The ministry said that the Indian Mission to the UN in New York and the country's missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN confirmed the death of the former army personnel in a post on X. 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale, working for the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time," the statement said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also condemned the attack, calling for a full investigation.

The UN has called for a full investigation, while Israel too ordered a separate probe into the attack, which killed the former Indian Army officer and injured another UN staffer.

Col Waibhav Anil Kale had opted for early retirement from the army in 2022 and had joined the UN as a Security Coordination Officer in the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS).

During his time in the Indian Army, Kale commanded the 11 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in Kashmir and served as an instructor at the army's Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.