India is in contact with “relevant authorities” over the investigation into the death of UN Security Coordination Officer Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale in Gaza. An official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said that Indian officials are in the process of getting the mortal remains of the former colonel of the Indian Army repatriated.
“Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending assistance in the repatriation of the mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation,” the official statement declared.
The United Nations had announced Colonel Kale’s death on 13 May saying that a ‘United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member’ had died “when their UN vehicle was struck as they traveled to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning”. The announcement started speculation about the identity of the attackers.
Israel blamed
Subsequently however, Turkish news agency TRT cited remarks by Deputy Spokesperson of the UN Farhan Haq and blamed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for the incident which led to the death of Colonel Kale and injury to his colleague. Citing UN sources, TRT described Mr. Kale as the “first international employee” of the UN to be killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Israeli embassy in New Delhi is yet to respond to a query from The Hindu regarding the death of Colonel Kale who was 46 years old.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd.), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza on 13 May 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones,” said the Ministry of External Affairs without specifying the source of the attack that killed the former Indian army official. It has been reliably learnt that India is waiting for more findings regarding the matter and has decided not to “pre-judge” or “pre-suppose” anything regarding the incident.
