Goma, 26 May 2010- A memorial ceremony has been held in Goma for Corporal Naik Husan Lal, an Indian Peacekeeper killed near Kiwanja on Sunday.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Kaindo Mutete, Minister of Security for North Kivu, and senior MONUC representatives who laid wreaths during the memorial service.

Corporal Naik Husan Lal is survived by his wife and a two year old son.

He died in North Kivu on 23 May following an attack by unidentified elements near the Mabenga bridge, about 20 kilometers from Kiwanja.

The Indian contingent based in Rwindi was patrolling near the bridge in the early afternoon when they witnessed the ambush of an FARDC patrol. The Blue Helmets took up a position to support the Congolese army and during the exchange of fire one Indian peacekeeper was wounded. He died in hospital a few hours later after medical evacuation to Goma.

An FARDC soldier and a civilian were also killed, while three other FARDC soldiers and one civilian were wounded in the exchange of fire.

This is the 31st peacekeeper to be killed under enemy fire. Since 1999 MONUC has lost 111 peacekeepers while serving in the Mission.