Five Indian UN peacekeepers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in a gun battle after a rebel group ambushed them in South Sudan while escorting a UN convoy.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday expressed anguish at the killing.
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted, "PM expresses anguish at the death of 5 Indian members of UN peace keeping contingent in South Sudan".
"I pay tribute to our brave soldiers," it said, quoting him.
Condemning in the strongest terms US has asked it to ensure the perpetrators are brought swiftly to justice.
Patrick Ventrell State Department spokesman said, "We condemn in the strongest terms today's attack by unknown assailants on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan convoy carrying peacekeepers and civilians in the state of Jonglei, which resulted in the deaths of five Indian soldiers and at least seven civilians and injuries to several more UNMISS (United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan) personnel".
Defense Minister A.K. Antony also condoled the killing of the Indian peacekeepers and lauded their bravery.
"Peacekeepers from India in UNMISS (United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan) were attacked in Jonglei. Five are dead and four wounded," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.
"Peacekeepers killed in South Sudan: Lt. Col. Mahipal singh; Nb Sub Shiv Kumar Pal; Hav Hira Lal; Hav Bharat Singh; Sep Nand Kishore," he tweeted.
Akbaruddin said: "It happened this morning about 8:30 a.m. The convoy carrying 32 Indian soldiers was attacked by rebels. There were five casualties, including a lieutenant colonel, a JCO (junior commissioner officer) and three soldiers. Four others have been wounded."
"We were informed that there were five casualties of Indian battalion that was attached to the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan. They were escorting a UN convoy in the volatile state of Jonglei in South Sudan," he added.
"Injured Indian peacekeepers moved to Entebbe in Uganda. India's Mission in Kampala providing all assistance for medical treatment," MEA spokesperson added.
Indian Army has contributed to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world for over six decades and has currently over 7,000 troops on four missions.
(with inputs from IANS)
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