Indian troops repel Congo attack

Indian troops deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, repelled a rebel attack on an Indian Army camp last week, killing three of the attackers and wounding another. Two soldiers were also injured in the attack.

“Alert Indian peacekeepers, repulsed an attack by a group of around 30 armed militia on October 6 on its Lubero post in the troubled province of North Kivu in Congo,” the Army said in a statement on Monday.

Complex mission

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest and the most complex mission under the UN flag in which India has a total of 2,664 military personnel deployed.

“Three of the attackers were killed and one was wounded, while two Indian peacekeepers were also injured in the attack,” the statement said, adding that the attack was a rare frontal assault on UN forces deployed for protecting civilians in Congo.

The attack was carried out by a Mai Mai group, which has recently targeted Congolese Army positions.

The Lubero region lies about 300km north of Goma, the main town of North Kivu province, where dozens of illegal armed groups control several villages. The groups have been clashing with the government for exploiting mineral resources.

Further, President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down at the end of his constitutional mandate last December has fuelled unrest in the country’s eastern provinces.

India is one of the largest contributors of soldiers to UN peacekeeping missions.