Pune:

The last rites of Colonel (retd) Waibhav Anil Kale, a former Indian army officer who was killed in Rafah region of Gaza earlier this week while working with the United Nations (UN), were performed here on Friday with full state honours.

The body of the 46-year-old former infantry officer were flown here earlier in the day, and kept at his residence in Kalyaninagar for some time before they were taken to the crematorium in Pune Cantonment.

Besides family members, his colleagues in the army, course-mates from the National Defence Academy (NDA), friends and government officials were present at the crematorium.

Wrapped in the Indian tri-colour and the UN flag, he was cremated with full state honours.

Colonel Kale, who had joined the UN as a security service coordinator two months ago, was killed on Monday while travelling in a vehicle carrying the UN flag when it came under fire.

‘नमन’

Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), was killed in the line of duty in Rafah, #Gaza, serving as a Security Coordination Officer with the #UnitedNations. Accorded full State & military honours during last rites in #Pune in presence of family, friends and relatives.

Jai Hind… pic.twitter.com/k0KFEQxOtk

— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) May 17, 2024

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, had said that the UN had established a fact-finding panel to look into the deadly attack.

Originally from Nagpur, Colonel Kale had retired from the army prematurely in 2022, and settled down in Pune before joining the UN.

Harshad Kale, a cousin, recalled that he always wanted to join the army as some other members of the family were serving in the armed forces.

“As he had worked in the UN peacekeeping mission earlier, he decided to join the UN (after leaving the army), but that career turned out to be short,” Harshad said.

One of Mr Kale’s coursemates from the NDA who came from Delhi to attend the last rites reminisced that Mr Kale had an infectious smile and positive attitude.

Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Brigadier (retd) Rajesh Gaikwad, director of the Department of Maharashtra Sainik Welfare; and serving and retired military veterans paid homage to Mr Kale.

He is survived by his mother, wife, son and daughter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thane:

A deathly silence descended on the Thane residence of Waibhav Anil Kale after his family members received word of the killing of the former Indian Army officer, who worked for the United Nations in Gaza. Kale (46) died while traveling in a vehicle to a hospital in the Khan Younis area from Rafah.

Speaking to the news agency ANI, Mugdha Ashok Kale, the aunt of the retired colonel, said she was still struggling to come to terms with the fact that he was no more. “When we heard about Waibhav, it came as a big shock. We still can’t believe he is no more. We hadn’t even seen much of him in the recent past. However, it feels like he is still with us in spirit. Even though the bitter truth comes out eventually, our minds aren’t ready to accept and reconcile with it. Hence, for us, Waibhav is still alive,” she told ANI.

On his lifelong dedication to service as an army officer and thereafter, as a UN staffer, Chinmay Ashok Kale, his cousin, told ANI, “He was very active and always up to something since childhood. However, he was also very dedicated to his family and would catch up and spend time with us whenever he could. Patriotism and service to the nation run in the veins of the Kale family. It was his grandfather’s wish that he join the forces. He sat for the exam on several occasions but couldn’t crack it. However, he did not lose heart and kept at it till he finally fulfilled his grandfather’s dream by being drafted into the army.”

Ajita Kale, the sister-in-law of the late UN staffer, spoke highly of his ‘unwavering commitment’ to serving his country, saying, “When he joined the forces, it wasn’t just about putting his life on the line for the country, as per the highest traditions of the army, but also about living for his homeland. When Waibhav joined the army, he was ready to give his all for the country.”

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, on Tuesday, extended its condolences to his family.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Vaibhav Kale, working for the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time,” read a post on the official X handle of India’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

The UN, too, consoled his death with Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for the Secretary-General, conveying condolences on the latter’s behalf over the death of the Indian staffer in an official statement.

“The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they traveled to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning,” the UN said in a statement.

Kale was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Rafah.

According to the statement from the world body, Waibhav joined the United Nations as the security service coordinator and was posted a month ago in Gaza.

The Secretary-General also came out in condemnation of all such attacks on the UN personnel, calling for a full investigation.

“The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation. He sends his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member,” the statement read.

The Secretary-General also called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

“With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages,” the statement added.

Kale belonged to the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and had taken retirement two years ago to join the UN.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India on Wednesday said it is “deeply saddened” over the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), the Indian national who was working with the UN in Gaza.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York as well as its mission in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of remains of Kale to India.

Kale was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Gaza’s Rafah region on Monday.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on May 13,” the MEA said.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones,” it said “Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident,” the MEA said in a statement. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)