Though the fallen Nepali nationals were not UN staff, their bodies were covered with UN flags, in high appreciation of their heroism. The memorial service was attended by UN officials, members of international community and Afghan officials. [break]
Marking the memorial ceremony, UN mission chief Staffan de Mistura lauded the heroic deeds of the Nepali guards who have been identified as Min Bahadur Thapa, Chhabi Lal Purja Pun, Narayan Bahadur Thapa Magar and Dil Prasad Gurung.
“They don’t speak much. They are silent professionals. They have been risking their lives for us in Herat and they have been dying with us and for us. That’s why their bodies were returned in the same plane where our three civilian colleagues were. They were covered with the UN flag at my own instruction and with the permission of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,” Tilak P Pokharel, a UNAMA public information officer quoted Mistura as saying of the Nepali guards.
According to information posted on the UNAMA website, Thapa and Pun both were retired Indian Army soldiers and residents of Myagdi district.
Similarly, Magar, an ex-Indian Army soldier, was a resident of Rupandehi while the fourth victim Gurung was from Pokhara. Like all his fallen colleagues, Gurung was also a retired Indian Army soldier.
All the Nepali nationals, along with three other UN staff, were killed last week when a mob attacked the UN office in Mazar-i-Sharif.
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