A former colonel of the Indian Army was killed in Rafah. Who was he?

A couple of months ago, Waibhav Anil Kale, a former colonel with the Indian Army had started working for the United Nations as a staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in war-struck Gaza.  

When he took the posting, little did he know that it would be his last. As per reports coming in from Gaza, Colonel Kale was killed tragically when the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Rafah where Israeli forces had intensified their attack.

Col Kale’s death marks the “first international” casualty for the United Nations since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023.  

Who was the ex-Indian Army personnel killed in Gaza?

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As per reports, 46-year-old Kale, served with the 11 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army.

Kale took premature retirement from the Indian Army in 2022. He joined the UN as a Security Coordination Officer in the United Nations DSS two months ago.

Kale was originally from Pune, Maharashtra and is survived by his wife and two children.

His vehicle was attacked on Monday when he was travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah from Gaza.

It is, however, unclear whether there was a ground attack or an air attack on his vehicle.

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His identity was revealed by Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson of the United Nations Secretary-General, in a statement on Monday night.

Another DSS staffer was injured in the incident when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah.

Col Kale was killed in an active combat zone. As per reports, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are investigating the incident.    

A statement issued by Haq said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation.

Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member.

The Permanent Mission of India to the UN condoled the death of Kale. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), it said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale, working for the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time."

With inputs from agencies