An Israeli bomb hit an Indian patrol base of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, killing four unarmed observers of various nationalities, but all Indian troops are safe.
Four military observers -- one each from Canada, China, Austria and Finland -- were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday at Khiyam near the border with Israel, Brig A K Nehra told PTI on phone from Lebanon. He said all Indian soldiers and officials serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon are 'absolutely safe'.
The Indians, however, are facing an acute shortage of water and essential supplies due to the hostilities.
UNIFIL also said in a statement that it was 'facing serious restrictions in its freedom of movement due to hostilities and extensive destruction of roads and bridges'.
Except for a soldier injured by stray splinters four days ago in Houla village, all Indian troops manning vital posts in Shia-dominated southern Lebanon are safe and have been asked to confine themselves to bunkers, officials said.
Indian peacekeepers have posts in the area that Israeli armour and artillery bypassed on Wednesday to hammer the Hizbollah stronghold of Bin Jabeel. Army officials said the Indian peacekeepers were not affected.
According to reports, UNIFIL has approached the Israeli Army for letting through convoys flying UN flags and carrying supplies for its peacekeepers and food and medicines for civilians in war-ravaged areas of southern Lebanon.
Under the peacekeeping mandate, UN troops have directions to cease operations in case of hostilities between the principal players in the region - Israel, Lebanon and non-state player Hezbollah.
Through diplomatic channels, New Delhi has tried to reach Tel Aviv to allow UN convoys to re-supply the peacekeepers.
India has provided an infantry battalion, with close to 1,000 troops, to UNIFIL, which monitors the border with Israel in southern Lebannon.
UNIFIL was formed in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore peace and security and help the Lebanese government restore its effective authority in the area.
