DAKAR: Six Pakistani peacekeepers were martyred in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday when rebels shot down a United Nations helicopter. One Russian and one Serbian peacekeepers also died in the crash.

The helicopter was among two carrying out reconnaissance for the UN mission in DR Congo, according to a statement by the country’s army on Tuesday. Those on the helicopter were assessing the movements of communities that had been attacked by a rebel group in order to coordinate humanitarian assistance.

The M23 rebel group attacked several villages in DR Congo’s east, according to the statement.

The Inter-Services Public Relations identified the martyred Pakistani soldiers as Lt Col Asif Ali Awan, Major Saad Nomani, Major Faizan Ali, Naib Subedar Sami Ullah Khan, Havaldar Muhammad Ismail and Lance Havaldar Muhammad Jamil.

“Pakistan has always played a pivotal role as a responsible member of the international community to help realise ideals of global peace and security through UN peacekeeping missions,” the statement said.

DR Congo’s east is prone to insecurity as several armed groups are vying for control of its mineral-rich lands. In 2012 the M23 rebels controlled large areas of eastern Congo, including the provincial capital of Goma.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2022