5 February 2011 – In the aftermath of fighting over the past two days in Malakal, UNMIS Indian hospital medically evacuated 11 of the 50 wounded by helicopter today to Khartoum.

One of the evacuees was Sgt. Maj. Paul Mirowe, who was shot in the right wrist. "I got shot by one of those soldiers who refused to move out to the north," said Sgt. Maj. Mirowe.

The conflict, which left 14 people dead, including five soldiers, two children, and seven civilians, erupted on 3 February between two groups of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers over redeployment to the north. One side wished to move north, while the other wanted to remain in the south.

Yesterday, the Indian hospital in Malakal admitted 19 of the wounded for treatment. "All of them were in bad shape -- gun shot wounded -- and six of them were in critical condition," said Lt. Col. Vijay Singh, a surgeon at the hospital.

Among those in critical condition, one was shot in the lung and another in his abdomen.

Nine doctors, two nurses, and 12 paramedics attempted to stabilize and give primary treatment to the victims.

"We started to receive them yesterday at 10.30 a.m," said Lt. Col. Rajiv Agarwal, commanding officer of the Indian hospital. "Unfortunately, one of them died when he arrived in hospital."

Among yesterday's evacuees was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' driver, who was shot in the chest and immediately sent to Khartoum.

While 18 of the wounded are being treated at the UNMIS Indian hospital, the remaining victims were admitted to Malakal Teaching Hospital.