DHAKA: Three Indian peacekeepers have been killed in an attack on a UN base in South Sudan, India`s UN envoy said.

The UN said attackers from the country`s second-largest ethnic group forced their way into the Akobo base in conflict-wracked Jonglei state on Thursday, pursuing civilians from a rival ethnic group who had taken refuge there.

Contact with the base was lost after the assault.

A statement said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was "appalled" to learn of the attack.

"There are indications that civilians may have been killed and wounded in the attack, but this remains to be verified.  Should these reports prove true, those responsible must be held accountable for their crimes," the statement said.

Ambassador Asoke Mukerji said the three peacekeepers were "targeted and killed" during an attack by ethnic Nuer youths.

Rapidly escalating ethnic violence has raised fears of instability in the world`s newest country.

Alleged coup

The attack on the UN base came after troops loyal to fugitive former vice president Riek Machar seized the town of Bor late on Wednesday, army spokesman Philip Aguer said, as fighting continued in eastern Jonglei state.

It was not a coup. Nobody wants that.

President Salva Kiir has blamed the bloodshed on a coup bid by his perennial rival Machar, who says the alleged overthrow was a fabrication to cover up a regime purge.

Talking to Al Jazeera`s Hannah McNeish, Machar denied that any plot was carried out to coup Kiir

"My life was in danger; my colleagues were being arrested for no reason. They are not plotters, it was not a coup. Nobody wants that," Machar said, claiming he was "used as a scapegoat" by Kiir to purge the ruling SPLM party of rivals to avoid reforming it.

Kiir coming from the majority Dinka people and Machar from the Nuer.

About 450 people have been killed in the capital, Juba, since battles broke out on Sunday, including around 100 soldiers, Aguer said. About 20,000 people have sought refuge at UN facilities in Juba.

US President Barack Obama on Thursday urged the clashing factions to end violence, restore calm, and work towards reconciliation, saying the conflict threatens to derail progress the country has made since gaining independence in 2011.

"Inflammatory rhetoric and targeted violence must cease," Obama said in a statement. "All sides must listen to the wise counsel of their neighbours, commit to dialogue and take immediate steps to urge calm and support reconciliation."

The comments came after Kiir held talks in Juba with seven east African foreign ministers seeking to end the conflict, the first international initiative since clashes erupted.

Source: Al Jazeera
BDST: 0855 HRS, DEC 20, 2013
RS