Three Army officers facing rape allegations

New Delhi, Mar 18 : Three Army officers, including a Lieutenant Colonel, presently deputed in Congo on a United Nations Peace Mission, have allegedly raped a woman in South Africa during their holiday there.

The Defence Ministry has ordered a probe into the incident.

Speaking on the sidelines of an Indian Air Force function here today, Defence Minister A K Antony said: "We have ordered an enquiry into the incident."

The three Indian officers, a Lieutenant Colonel and two Majors were deployed with the North Kivu Brigade on the Mission of the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).

South African Police detained the officers on March 12 after a woman in Pretoria alleged that she was raped by them.

The three officers were released after Indian Embassy officials in Johannesburg intervened in the matter.

Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Milan Naidu, said, "We are waiting for the enquiry report. It's just an allegation, but still is an embarrassment to the Army."

India has the largest contingent in MONUC with more than 4,300 personnel. The mission was set up by the world body in February 2000 to bring stability in the region.

ANI