UN peacekeepers rescue aid workers in S. Sudan

Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-15 03:30:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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JUBA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Friday that Indian peacekeepers have rescued more than a dozen humanitarian workers who came under heavy fire from unknown gunmen in the restive town of Pibor.

The troops, serving with the UNMISS were alerted to the incident in the early hours of Thursday morning, said the UN mission.

"When they arrived at the compound, about three kilometres from the UN base, there was a flurry of about 150 shots fired by the attackers using automatic weapons," said the mission said in a statement issued in Juba.

It said the peacekeepers responded by firing warning shots into the air which caused the two groups of attackers to flee. It is estimated that about 40 offenders were involved in the incident.

"The humanitarian workers were successfully evacuated from the compound unharmed as sporadic gunfire continued. They were taken back to the UNMISS base for medical checks and support," UNMISS said.

The UN mission said the Indian battalion was alerted to an attempt to infiltrate another humanitarian compound nearby as the incident unfolded.

"They quickly responded by sending a team of peacekeepers who once again forced the offenders to flee. The peacekeeping contingent sent troops to check on other humanitarian compounds in the area and conducted a patrol of the town later that morning," it said.

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