Most Soldiers Killed in Action during UN Missions were Indian, The Hindu Editorial Analysis

The Hindu Editorial Analysis: The Editorial Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper Editorial Articles aimed at simplifying various concepts relevant to the UPSC and other State PSC Exams. The Editorial Analysis helps in expanding the knowledge base as well as framing better quality mains answers. Today’s Hindu Editorial Analysis of ‘Most Soldiers Killed in Action during UN Missions were Indian’ highlights Participation of Indian Soldiers in UN Missions and how Indian Soldiers are the largest lot to lose their life in these UN Missions.

Most Soldiers Killed in Action during UN Missions were Indian

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, marked the 75th anniversary of the organization’s peacekeeping missions with a solemn ceremony.

• To honor the memory of over 4,000 peacekeepers who have sacrificed their lives while on duty, Guterres called upon military officers and diplomats, dressed in their respective uniforms, to observe a moment of silence.
• Additionally, he presented medals to ambassadors representing the 39 nations from which the 103 peacekeepers, who tragically lost their lives in 2022, hailed.

Sacrifice of Indian Soldiers in UN Missions

In May 1948, the UN Security Council dispatched its initial contingent of military observers to monitor the Israeli-Arab Armistice Agreement. Throughout the history of UN peacekeeping missions, Indian troops and experts have made substantial contributions. Statistical data reveals that, among the lives tragically lost during peacekeeping operations as a result of hostile acts, a significant proportion belonged to Indian troops.

• In total, 1,115 peacekeepers have died on the field due to malicious acts, of which 69 were from India followed by Chad (64), Ghana (53), Nigeria (44) and Pakistan (44).
• In total, 4,298 peacekeepers have died -1,481 due to illness, 1,386 due to accidents, 316 due to other causes, and the rest due to malicious acts.
• The United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) between July 1960 and June 1964 proved to be the deadliest for Indian troops and experts, with 15 dying due to malicious acts.

Indian Fatalities due to Malicious Acts in UN Missions

During the period from July 1960 to June 1964, the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) witnessed the highest number of casualties among Indian troops and experts, with 15 fatalities resulting from hostile acts.

• A The Hindu Article in 1960 vividly described how Indian Army Majors were forcefully removed from their residences at bayonet point and subjected to severe injuries inflicted with rifle butts.
• Additionally, it recounted an incident where Congolese soldiers, armed with submachine guns, intercepted a colonel who was leading the Indian contingent and confiscated his vehicle.
• By the end of March 1963, the majority of Indian troops had returned from the mission.
• Addressing the Lok Sabha, the then Deputy Defence Minister, D.R. Chavan, reported that a total of 36 Indian armed force personnel had lost their lives during this operation.
• The United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM) took place from March 1993 to 1995 and unfortunately led to the deaths of 12 Indian troops and experts due to hostile acts.
• In the context of ongoing missions, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has tragically witnessed the loss of seven Indian troops. 

Indian Soldiers in UN Missions, Present Status

India holds the third position, with a total of 6,097 personnel, following Bangladesh (7,237) and Nepal (6,264), in terms of contributing troops and experts for United Nations peacekeeping missions.

• Following closely behind are Rwanda (5,935) and Pakistan (4,334). It is worth noting that four out of the top five contributors are from the Indian subcontinent.
• It is also noteworthy that a significant majority of troop and expert contributions have originated from countries classified as poor or middle-income.
• Over the course of 71 conducted operations to date, a remarkable 2 million peacekeepers from 125 nations have participated in these missions.
• The largest contingent of Indian personnel, numbering 2,426 individuals, is deployed in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Conclusion

Following UNMISS, significant Indian contributions are seen in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with 1,971 personnel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 875 personnel.

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