Four peacekeepers were killed when their convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device in the large region of Timbuktu

India on Friday strongly condemned the attack on the convoy of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, resulting in the killing of four peacekeepers from Cote d’ Ivoire.

Four United Nations peacekeepers from Cote d’Ivoire were killed, while five others were wounded in an attack by unidentified armed elements in Timbuktu region in Mali on January 13.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers as well as the people and the Government of Cote d’Ivoire and wish for the speedy recovery of all the other injured peacekeepers,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The peacekeepers’ convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), in the large region of Timbuktu on Wednesday.

However, a vigorous response by the peacekeepers forced the attackers to flee, and the wounded personnel were evacuated by helicopter, as stated in a news release by the UN MINUSMA.

The attack on MINUSMA peacekeepers took place the same day an attack was carried out on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, in which a Rwandan peacekeeper was killed.