Goma, 04 September 2010 - Armed men attacked an aircraft with 4 members of the International Medical Corps (IMC), all American nationals at about 10 a.m. on September, 1. The aicraft had just touched ground on the Kilambo airstrip, 15 km NW of Walikale. The 3rd Indian Batallion reacted immediately on appraisal by deploying a Rapid reaction team from its operational base in Walikale. This resulted in the extraction of 4 humanitarian operators and 2 crew members.

The six persons who had gone into hiding in the nearby bushes were subsequently led to Walikale for transfer, ultimately, to Goma under the auspices of MONUSCO.

Prior to the intervention of the Indian Forces, the armed group suspected to be a coalition of Mai-Mai Cheka and FDLR, had attacked an FARDC position near the air strip, killing one FARDC soldier and injuring one civilian.

The crew of a second aircraft which had just landed, a Congolese and a Ukranian, was kidnapped by the same armed group which is currently being pursued by the FARDC.

The 3rd Indian batallion has now set up a permanent combat base in KILAMBO to ensure the safety of the air strip while keeping the overall situation under control.