Sudan Clashes: Indian National Dies Due To Stray Bullet Injury. Situation Of 'Great Concern', Jaishankar Says

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern as an Indian national died after he was injured by a stray bullet amid clashes.

Heavy smoke bellows above buildings in the vicinity of the Khartoum airport on April 15, 2023, amid clashes in the Sudanese capital.

An Indian national died after he was injured by a stray bullet, the Indian embassy in Sudan informed on Sunday. The Embassy had previously advised the Indian nationals to stay indoors in view of the clashes between the military and paramilitary troops. Explosions rocked the Sudanese capital Khartoum on April 15 as paramilitaries and the regular army traded attacks on each other's bases, days after the Sudanese army warned the country was at a "dangerous" turning point.

News agency AFP cited Central Committee of Sudan Doctors as informing that the total number of deaths among civilians reached 56. There were 'tens of deaths' among security forces but they were not included in that death toll, it added. 

"It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements," a tweet by the Indian Mission read.

Press Release

It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries.

Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.

— India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 16, 2023

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended condolences saying, "The Embassy is making all efforts to extend the fullest assistance to the family. The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments."

Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family.

The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments. https://t.co/GJ9iFowLwu

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 16, 2023

In a tweet on Saturday, the Embassy wrote: "In view of reported firings and clashes, all Indians are advised to take utmost precautions, stay indoors, and stop venturing outside with immediate effect. Please also stay calm and wait for updates."

NOTICE TO ALL INDIANS

IN VIEW OF REPORTED FIRINGS AND CLASHES, ALL INDIANS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE UTMOST PRECAUTIONS, STAY INDOORS AND STOP VENTURING OUTSIDE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. PLEASE ALSO STAY CALM AND WAIT FOR UPDATES.

— India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 15, 2023

According to reports, violence erupted in Sudan on Saturday after weeks of escalating tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army.

Gunfire was heard near the airport and also Burhan's residence and in Khartoum North. Locals could be seen running for cover as artillery exchanges rocked the streets, AFP reported.

"Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces attacked several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan," army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah told AFP. "Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country,” he added.

It is to be noted that military leader Burhan has been at loggerheads with the RSF commander, over talks to finalise a deal to return the country to civilian rule and end the crisis sparked by their 2021 coup. A plan to integrate the RSF into the regular army is one of the key points of contention, according to reports.

The Sudan army, in a statement issued on Thursday, said it was "sounding the alarm as the country is at a dangerous historical turning point".

"The risks are increasing as the RSF command mobilised and spread forces in the capital and other cities,” the statement added.