Indian Foreign Ministry Reacts To The Murder Of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd) In Gaza (X image@DM_Speak)

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded to the killing of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, the former Indian Army Officer, in an Israeli air strike in Gaza. In a press release, the External Ministry said that India is “deeply saddened” at the death of Kale, and extended condolences to the family and dear ones.

It further added that India”s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah will extend all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains back to the army veteran”s home. It said that the ministry will be in touch with the relevant authorities regarding the probe into the incident.

It is to note that the External Ministry has not mentioned anything about Israel”s role in the veteran Army officer”s death, though Israel has been widely condemned for targeting UN-marked vehicle.

The 46-year-old Kale was killed while he was travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah. They were attacked while travelling in a United Nations vehicle. He was working for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS). Another female DSS staff from Jordan, who was travelling with Kale was injured during the attack. His death marks the first casualty among UN’s international staff in Gaza since the beginning of the current Israel-Palestine war.

UN expressed “apologies and our condolences to the Government and people of India”. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that UN has established a fact-finding panel to look into the incident. While appreciating India for its contribution, Haq said the investigation is still at its early stage and “details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF)”, as reported by PTI.