Family concerned over condition of Bangladeshi peacekeeper injured in Sudan drone attack
Family members said they have been informed that his condition is stable, but the incident has caused concern, particularly given the limited communication from the conflict-hit area.
The family of Lieutenant Colonel Khondaker Khalekuzzaman is closely following his condition after he was injured in a drone attack while serving with a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan.
Lt Col Khalekuzzaman, whose home is in Kushtia, sustained injuries during an attack on a UN mission base in the Abyei area earlier this week.
Family members said they have been informed that his condition is stable, but the incident has caused concern, particularly given the limited communication from the conflict-hit area.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to family sources, Khalekuzzaman's left hand was injured in the attack.
He was evacuated by helicopter to Abyei Hospital immediately after the incident, where he is receiving treatment.
Relatives said he remains in regular contact with his family despite limited communication facilities in the area.
His elder sister, Shamima Akter, told reporters that the family was relieved to know his condition was stable.
Khalekuzzaman's mother, Dilara Zaman, said the uncertainty has been especially distressing.
Speaking to TBS by phone yesterday (14 December), she said she had only brief contact with her son shortly after he left for the mission.
"The other family members speak, and they check in every day. There is no internet or electricity there. I only saw some news on television. No one told me directly about the attack," she said, adding that she has been praying for his recovery and safe return.
Lieutenant Colonel Khalekuzzaman joined the UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan in January this year. Before his deployment, he was serving as battalion commander at Bogura Cantonment. His wife and two children currently live there.
His father, Khondaker Akhtaruzzaman, who has since passed away, was a freedom fighter.
The drone attack on the UN base in Abyei killed six members of the Bangladesh Army and injured six to eight others serving with the peacekeeping mission. Lieutenant Colonel Khalekuzzaman was among those wounded.
