UP announces Rs 20 lakh aid to kin of slain Indian peacekeepers

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh each to the family members of two peacekeepers from the state killed during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

"The CM has announced financial assistance to families of hawaldar Heeralal from Bulandshahr and nayab subedar Shiv Kumar Pal hailing from Pratapgarh district," an official spokesman said.

Condemning the incident, Akhilesh expressed his grief and said that he prayed for the peace of the departed souls.

Five Indian Army personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed on Tuesday when their 32-member convoy came under attack in Gurmuck in the volatile state of Jonglei, South Sudan. Four others were injured in the attack.

There are around 2,200 Indian Army personnel comprising two battalions, one based in Jonglei and the other in Malakkal, Upper Nile, on the border with Sudan.

Since South Sudan got independence in July 2011, it has witnessed ethnic strife, with Pibor County, the main base of the UN peacekeeping force, being the centre of much of the violence.

India is a major contributor to UN peacekeeping forces around the world.