KIGALI, June 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo MONUC condemned here Saturday the killing of a Nepalese peacekeeper in Ituri Brigade.

    According to a UN press release, the peacekeeper was seriously injured at Rakpa, a locality situated 65 km northeast of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whilst the platoon under hiscommand was securing the take-off of a helicopter transporting MONUC civilian staff.

    As the helicopter transporting the civilian staff was ready to launch, armed men opened fire on the aircraft which nevertheless managed to take off and safely brought all those onboard back to the town of Mahagi, said the press release.

    The peacekeeping platoon immediately returned fire allowing thecivilian helicopter to take off safely. Four peacekeepers were injured during this firefight.

    "MONUC rushed in reinforcement, including a MI25 combat helicopter, which facilitated the evacuation of the injured and the extraction of the two helicopters transporting the Nepalese troops," the statement added.

    The four injured peacekeepers were admitted in Bunia hospital, where one of them died at Friday night.

    Altogether, eleven peacekeepers of MONUC Ituri Brigade have been killed in attacks by militia members since the beginning of the year. Most of them killed are Bangladesh. Enditem