Three Indian peacekeepers recalled from Congo

A soldier of the Indian peacekeeping contingent ha been lured into purchasing counterfeit gold dust and was cheated by an anti-social person

New Delhi: Three Indian soldiers on a peacekeeping mission in Congo have been recalled and disciplinary action initiated against them for detaining a person who allegedly tried to dupe one of them.

Dismissing media reports that the peacekeepers concerned had been let off lightly with only a warning, the Defence Ministry said the disciplinary proceedings are yet to be completed as per the military law.

"An incident of aberrant behaviour by a few of the Indian peacekeepers, which was not part of any allegations made but did come to light during the process of investigations, pertained to a soldier of the Indian peacekeeping contingent being lured into purchasing a small quantity of counterfeit gold dust and thus being cheated by an anti-social person," a Defence Ministry release said.

It said the investigations revealed that the soldier along with his immediate superior officer, on becoming aware of having been cheated, detained the person to recover the soldier's money.

"Irrespective of the gravity of the incident, it may be noted that the Indian army recalled the concerned individuals and ordered a detailed investigations headed by a General Officer of three-star rank," it said.

"Subsequent to the investigations, the disciplinary actions against the three Indian peacekeepers have been initiated under the provisions of the Army Act," it said.

The Defence Ministry asked the media to "show patience" until the disciplinary proceedings are completed after following the due process of military law and to "abstain from speculative and untruthful reporting lest they unwittingly land up promoting the ill-intended and malicious designs of interested parties."




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