Kosh Raj Koirala

Altogether four Nepali nationals have been confirmed dead in the deadly attack on United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAM) office in the northern Afghanistan city of Mazar-e-Sharif Friday afternoon, according to Nepali Embassy in Pakistan, which also looks after Afghanistan.

Talking to Republica over telephone, Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy Durga Bhandari said, three Nepalis working as security guards inside the UN office building were killed on Friday. Another injured Nepali national died Saturday afternoon while undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Min Bahadur Thapa, Chhabi Lal Purja Pun, Narayan Bahadur Thapa Magar and Dil Prasad Gurung. “We are yet to get the home addresses of the deceased,” said Bhandari. Earlier, there were reports that a total five Nepalis were killed in the incident.

Bhandari said a total of six Nepalis are learnt to have been working as security guards in the UN office. “We have received reports that four Nepalis died in the incident. Two other Nepalis working there are safe,” he further said. According to him, embassy has taken initiatives to get the addresses of the deceased and send the bodies to Nepal.

Altogether seven UN personnel were killed in the incident as some 2,000 demonstrators attacked UN guards stationed outside UNAM compound, seized their weapons and began firing indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has extended his sincere condolences to the families of Nepalis killed in the attacks. Talking to Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal over telephone Saturday, Secretary General Ban also expressed confidence that Nepal would continue its support to the UN despite the fateful incident.

According to a press statement issued by Prime Minister´s Office, Prime Minister Khanal thanked Ban for his condolences and assured that Nepal would continue its support to all peace keeping efforts of the UN.

Likewise, the US embassy in Kathmandu on Saturday said it joins President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and the American people in condemning the April 1 attack and extends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the Nepalis who lost their lives.

“We commend their (Nepalis) bravery and commitment to supporting the UN´s vital work in Afghanistan,” the statement read.

Published on: 3 April 2011 | Republica