One Nepali United Nations peacekeeper has been killed and three others were injured in a clash with insurgents in the Democratic Republic of Congo while seven others have been taken hostage by the militants.

A press statement issued by the Directorate of the Nepali Army said the Nepali peacekeeper was killed in a clash that ensued during the cordon and search operation jointly carried out the 5th mission of Nepali Army under the UN and Congo’s government troops against the insurgents on Sunday.

The three injured peacekeepers have been undergoing treatment at the UN’s Level-2 Hospital. The seven personnel taken hostage by the militants are safe and efforts are underway by the UN for their release, DPR statement further said.

The militants have demanded US$20,000 ransom for the release of each peacekeeper, according to Reuters news agency. The clash occurred in the restive Ituri district, Congo.

There are 17,000 UN peacekeepers from different countries currently stationed in Congo.