• Source:JND
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India on Wednesday expressed condolences over the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), an Indian national serving with the UN in Gaza. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York as well as its mission in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains of Kale to India.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on May 13," the MEA said in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones," it said. Earlier, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the UN both extended their condolences to Kale's family.

Waibhav Anil Kale Death: Here Are Key Points

- Waibhav Anil Kale, who was working for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS), was killed when his vehicle was attacked in Gaza's Rafah region on Monday. Rafah is a region where Israel is currently carrying out military operations.

- The United Nations has initiated an inquiry into an unidentified strike on a UN vehicle in Rafah that killed its first international staff in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

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- A retired Indian Army officer was en route to the European Hospital in Rafah along with a colleague, who was also injured in the attack when the incident occurred.

- The 46-year-old Kale, who retired prematurely from the Indian Army in 2022, joined the world body as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) two months ago.

- His aunt, Mugdha Ashok Kale, expressed shock over Kale's death news. "When we heard about Waibhav, it came as a big shock. We still can't believe he is no more. We hadn't even seen much of him in the recent past. However, it feels like he is still with us in spirit. Even though the bitter truth comes out eventually, our minds aren't ready to accept and reconcile with it. Hence, for us, Waibhav is still alive," she told ANI.

(With Agencies Inputs)