Major General Chok Bahadur Dhakal of the Nepali Army, deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), was injured in an attack by protesters. The incident occurred last night near Beirut.

According to UNIFIL, a convoy carrying Major General Dhakal was stopped and vandalised by an agitated group of protesters. In the course of the attack, Dhakal sustained injuries and was immediately taken to a UN Level Three hospital for treatment. His condition is now reported to be stable and out of danger.

“This evening a UNIFIL convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport was violently attacked, and a vehicle was set on fire. UNIFIL’s outgoing Deputy Force Commander, who was returning home after ending his mission, was injured,” the UNIFIL statement said.

UNIFIL is the longest-running UN peacekeeping mission involving Nepali forces. The United Nations strongly condemned the attack, stating, “We are shocked by this outrageous attack on peacekeepers who have been serving to restore security and stability to south Lebanon during a difficult time.”

Denouncing the attack, the UNIFIL further stated, “Attacks on peacekeepers are flagrant violations of international law and may amount to war crimes. We demand a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.”

Additionally, the UN mission reaffirmed its commitment, stating that the peacekeepers continue to work to restore security and stability in south Lebanon in accordance with their mandate under Security Council resolution 1701.

The Lebanese prime minister and the Lebanese Armed Forces have also called for a prompt inquiry and legal action against the perpetrators.

In the meantime, issuing a press statement on Saturday, Nepal Army has denounced the attack and shared that Major General Dhakal is out of danger and is undergoing treatment in the UNIFIL’s hospital in Lebanon.