Shawdesh desk:

Three Bangladeshi United Nations (UN) peacekeepers were killed and one other critically injured when their vehicle was blasted by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Central African Republic in the early hours of Tuesday.

The deceased are soldier Jashim Uddin, 31, hailed from Brahmanbaria, Jahangir Alam, 26, hailed from Nilphamari and Sharif Hossain, 26, hailed from Sirajganj. Patrol commander Major Ashraful Haque was injured, according to a press release from Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).

Injured peacekeeper Major Ashraful Huq (Photo-ISPR)

A team of mechanised patrols led by Major Ashraf from temporary camp Kui went on patrol in Kaita area at 7:30 pm local time Monday. On the way back at 8.35pm local time (1.35am Bangladesh time Tuesday), the first vehicle carrying Patrol Commander Major Ashraf was hit by an IED buried in the ground.

Damaged vehicle caused by explosion of a buried IED. (Photo-ISPR)  

The car was thrown about 15 feet away, leaving soldier Sharif, soldier Jahangir and soldier Jasim fatally injured on the spot, said ISPR.

After the attack, the injured have been quickly transferred to Bouar town of Central African Republic, which is 144 km away, at about 6:30am-7:05am local time (11.30am-12:05 Bangladesh time Tuesday). The doctor on duty declared Jasim, Jahangir and Sharif dead.

Another injured peacekeeper Major Ashraful Haque is undergoing treatment. Currently, his condition is stable.

The other Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in the Central African Republic are safe. The process of bringing the bodies of the martyred soldiers to the country as soon as possible is underway, said ISPR.

Despite risking their lives, the peacekeepers of the Bangladesh Army are maintaining the highest professionalism in peacekeeping operations in 8 African countries. Bangladesh are at the top position as a country that sends peacekeepers to the United Nations.