A former Indian Army colonel, who had taken premature retirement from service two years ago, was killed in an attack on a United Nations vehicle near Rafah in Gaza on Monday
Ex Indian Army Colonel With UN Killed in Gaza
A former Indian Army colonel, who had taken premature retirement from service two years ago, was killed in an attack on a United Nations vehicle near Rafah in Gaza on Monday, becoming the first international UN casualty of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Colonel Kale, 46, died in the attack which took place when he was travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah in a United Nations vehicle. A staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS), he is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Another DSS staffer, who was with Kale, was injured in the incident. After retiring from the Army in 2022, Kale joined the UNDSS as a Security Coordination Officer two months ago and reached Gaza about a month ago.
The United Nations has called for a full investigation while Israel has ordered a separate investigation into the attack. In the latest incident too, Kale was travelling in a Level 6 bulletproof UN-marked vehicle when it came under fire.
In a post on X, Guterres said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. “Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages,” he said. “His death is a reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by UN staff members who work tirelessly to promote peace and stability in some of the world’s most dangerous regions,” a former colleague of Kale said.
Kale had a distinguished military career spanning more than two decades. He was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in June 2000 and earned the reputation of a brave and dedicated officer. He commanded 11 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in Punjab and had also been part of the counter-insurgency unit in Jammu and Kashmir. He had received multiple recommendations from the military while in service. A former Army officer, who had served with Kale in Arunachal Pradesh around 2007, described him as a quiet, seasoned military operator.
