9 legionaries and 7 members of the oil prospecting team were killed, with the 12 wounded survivors managing to escape in the 4 remaining but damaged trucks.

Amidst the escalating tension and the brazen act of the militants, a series of events were set in motion to regain control and assert French authority in the region.

Bigeard, with his extensive experience and military prowess, was granted "full powers" by General Salan to carry out a high-impact intervention.

[11] Arriving in Timimoun on November 13, 1957, Bigeard and his forces were faced with the daunting challenge of tracking down the deserters amidst the harsh Sahara environment.

Collaborating with other military units, including the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (1er R.E.P) under the command of Colonel Jeanpierre, Bigeard's 3e R.P.C meticulously combed the region around Timimoun.