3 BD peacekeepers killed in Central African Republic: ISPR

Staff Reporter :
Three Bangladeshi United Nations (UN) peacekeepers deployed in the Central African Republic have been killed and another critically injured when their vehicle was blasted by an improvised explosive device (IED) early Tuesday, according to the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR).
The deceased peacekeepers have been identified as sepoy Md Jashim Uddin, 31, Md Jahangir Alam, 26, and sepoy Sharif Hossain, 26. At the time patrol Commander Major Ashraful Haque was also injured.
Of the deceased, Jashim hailed from Katinga village under Bijoynagar Police Station in Brahmanbaria, Jahangir Alam from South Titpara village under Dimtala Police Station in Nilphamari and Sharif Hossain from Barak Rua village under Belkuchi Police Station in Sirajganj.
According to the press release, a team of mechanised patrols led by Major Ashraf from temporary camp Kui went on patrol in Kaita area at 7:30 pm local time Monday.
On the way back at 8:35pm local time (1:35am Bangladesh time Tuesday), the first vehicle carrying Patrol Commander Major Ashraf was hit by an IED buried in the ground.
The car was thrown about 15 feet away, leaving Sharif, Jahangir and Jasim fatally injured on the spot, said ISPR.
After the attack, the injured were quickly transferred to Bouar town of Central African Republic, which is 144 km away, at about 6:30am-7:05am local time (11:30am-12:05 Bangladesh time Tuesday). The doctor on duty declared Jasim, Jahangir and Sharif dead.
Another injured peacekeeper Major Ashraful Haque is undergoing treatment. Currently, his condition is stable.
The other Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in the Central African Republic are safe. The process of bringing the bodies of the martyred soldiers to the country as soon as possible is underway, said ISPR.