Indian troops encircled in Sierra Leone

NEW DELHI, JUNE 6. In a further worsening of the situation in Sierra Leone, more than 400 Indian peackeeping troops have been surrounded by rebel militiamen near Kalahum town, according to reports reaching Army Headquarters here.

The reports said two companies of Gorkha battalion moving as U.N. peacekeepers spearhead to establish presence in the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) strongholds in the east were surrounded and cut-off by heavily armed RUF militiamen near Kalahum township.

The encirclement of a part of the Indian peacekeeping contingent comes at a time when New Delhi is reportedly getting worried over the adverse situation in the west African nation where more than 3,000 Indian troops, Airforcemen and policemen are involved as part of a 10,000 strong U.N. peacekeeping force.

The encirclement comes even as RUF cadres are still holding 20 Indian soliders, including two officers, one JCO and 17 of other ranks as captives for more than nine weeks.

Lt. Col. J. Sandhu, military spokesman of the UNASMIL, said ``two companies of Gorkha soldiers have been surrounded by the RUF.''He said these companies, in the face of the blockade have consolidated at one position in order to repel any attack on them.

- PTI

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