India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Wednesday, condoled the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (retd), the Indian national who was working as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in war-torn Gaza.
Colonel Kale died on Monday, May 13, when the vehicle he was travelling in fell to strike in Rafah where Israeli forces had intensified their attack.
Work on for repatriation of mortal remains
The MEA in a statement on Wednesday 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 (his) mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones,” the Ministry further said.
Kale took early retirement from Indian Army
Kale, 46-year-old, was originally from Maharashtra’s Pune. He is survived by his wife and two children — girl aged 16 and a boy aged 8.
Kale’s death marked the “first international” casualty for the UN since the start of the Israel-Hamas on October 7 last year.
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He had served in the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army. Kale took a premature retirement in June 2022 and joined the UN as a Security Coordination Officer in the United Nations DSS two months ago.
Family mourns Col Kale’s death
The family members of Kale have been mourning his death and recalled their memories of him.
His cousin Chinmay Ashok Kale recalled his brother’s initial struggle to join the Indian defence forces. He said: “Waibhav Anil Kale’s father and paternal uncles wanted him to join defence. Initially, he wasn’t very keen, but he finally joined. Within a few months after joining NDA, he even got nervous and wanted to leave… But after his uncle spoke to him and convinced him, there was no looking back.”
‘Peace will come to Gaza but my brother will never return’
“During the Pathankot terrorist attack, he took the charge to cordon off and sanitise the area. He even briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the task he was assigned… He worked with the infantry for about 22 years, but then he took VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) and became an officer of a reputed company. However, he always wanted to do field work and did not enjoy a desk job. After that, he joined the UN. Gaza was his first posting and when he was leaving, I messaged him saying, ‘come with peace at Gaza’. Peace will ultimately come to Gaza, but my brother will not never return,” Chinmay said.
“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,” Kale’s sister-in-law Ajita Kale said.
Family struggled to come to terms with Kale’s demise
Kale’s aunty Mugdha Ashok Kale said, “The news of Waibhav’s death has come as a big shock for all the family members. We are still not being able to come to terms that he is no longer with us.”
He was thrilled to serve the country and was prepared to sacrifice his life for the nation, she further said.
His elder brother is a pilot and his sister-in-law is serving in the Indian Air Force, Mugdha Ashok Kale further informed.
With inputs from ANI
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