Indian soldiers under UN lens for smuggling

NEW DELHI: Allegations of gold-smuggling against Indian soldiers deployed as part of UN peacekeeping operations in strife-torn Congo last year have come back to haunt India. This time, however, the defence ministry is admitting that the role of three Indian soldiers is being investigated by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). "But it's a trivial case. If they are found guilty, they will be face disciplinary action," said an official. The OIOS has held that there is no evidence of any other allegation against the Indian troops in Congo, including the allegations of "arming a militia", he added. This came even as defence minister A K Antony told the army commanders' conference here on Monday that "some stray incidents" had "tarnished the otherwise impeccable track record of our army in international missions and exercises".