Two Indian peacekeepers in Congo injured in attack on post

Two Indian peacekeepers in Congo were injured when an armed militia attacked their post in the troubled North Kivu province, a statement said on Monday.

The attack on the post in Lubero on Friday by around 30 members of the Mai Mai group was repulsed, with three of the assailants killed and another one injured.

The Mai Mai group has recently been attacking Congolese Army positions.

The Lubero region lies about 300 km North of Goma, the main town of North Kivu province, where dozens of illegal armed groups control several villages. They have been at odds with the government and are exploiting mineral resources and preying on local residents, the statement said.

"Friday's attack was a rare frontal assault on UN forces deployed for protecting civilians in Congo. 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," the statement said.

The UN mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) is the largest and most complex mission under the UN flag in which India has a major troop presence, having contributed a total of 2,664 personnel.

--IANS

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