LUCKNOW: Kargil War hero Colonel Rajesh W Adhau (Sena Medal), currently serving as commanding officer of the Indian tertiary hospital in Goma, Congo, had a narrow escape when two rocket-propelled grenades struck his official quarters within the hospital compound of the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO on Monday evening.
The incident occurred amid violent confrontation between M23 rebels and the Congolese military.
The contingent commander of 92 medical staff, including 28 specialists of the prestigious Indian hospital, had assumed command in Goma in Feb 2024.
Colonel Adhau’s wife, Dr Deepali Rajesh Adhau, who resides in Delhi Cantonment with her son, said: “I learnt about the RPG attack from a source and managed to contact Rajesh on Tuesday morning. Although I was informed that he had not sustained any injuries, the mere thought of RPGs landing at his official residence was distressing. He had left his residence just 10 seconds before the RPG landed at his prefabricated quarter made of fibre and steel.”
Following the RPG attack on the contingent commander’s residence, WhatsApp groups, including those of the spouses of army officers posted for UN peacekeeping missions, were inundated with enquiries about the wellbeing of the personnel on duty.
The Indian tertiary hospital in Goma is guarded by Indian army personnel who are part of the UN peacekeeping mission. During the ongoing conflict, the tertiary hospital has been extensively involved in treating injured UN peacekeepers from Indonesia, South Africa, Uruguay and other countries.
“It appears the RPG was not directly targeted at the Indian tertiary hospital of the UN mission or the contingent commander’s residence, but amid intense chaos during exchange of fire between rebels and Congo military, it might have been caught in crossfire,” a source said.
Meanwhile Dr Deepali, a gynaecologist currently working for ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme), said, “I could clearly hear bullet exchange while speaking to Rajesh over the telephone. The Indian Army contingent is performing exceptionally well to protect tertiary hospital staff. I believe that all will return safely after completing their tenure in this conflict-affected country.”
Rajesh and Deepali had tied the knot on Dec 2, 2001. On Dec 15, 2001, Rajesh joined his unit for Operation Parakram after terrorist attack on the parliament on Dec 13, 2001.
In 1999, Adhau, then Captain, served as regimental medical officer (RMO) of the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, and administered first aid to 97 soldiers amid enemy artillery bombardment and fire exchange on the high-altitude Kargil battlefield.
Former commanding officer of 13 JAK Rif during Kargil War, Lt Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi (Vir Chakra), who later retired as Lt Gen and Northern Army Commander, said: “I don’t know exactly what has happened in Goma, but it appears Rajesh survived another RPG attack after the 1999 Kargil war.”
