TROOPS FOR UNIFIL
Indian Army contingent
earmarked for United Nations Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was addressed
by Lt Gen J B S Yadav, Deputy chief of Army Staff (Training &
Coordination) here today. India has been providing an Infantry
Battalion Group and a sizeable number of Headquarters staff personnel
in UNIFIL since Nov 1998. The present Force Commander is Maj Gen
L M Tiwari. The troops leaving for Lebanon belong to The Eighth
Battalion, The SIKH Regiment (8 SIKH).
India has a glorious
tradition in UN peacekeeping and has taken part in many a difficult
and challenging peacekeeping operations all over the world and
performed creditably. One of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping,
India has participated in36 of the total 55 peacekeeping operations
undertaken by the UN and has contributed approximately 65,000
troops over the years. Indian Army troops are preferred by most
countries for peacekeeping duties due to their professionalism
and impartial conduct in mission areas. The Indian soldiers have
provided the healing touch on behalf of the UN to a suffering
populace in a conflict zone and brought peace, hope and cheer
to the victims of violence. In doing so, many an Indian officers,
JCOs and other ranks have made the supreme sacrifice and the roll
of honour now reads 108. These supreme sacrifices have been made
to uphold our ideals and commitment. India’s ideal remains, strengthening
the UN and international peace and security.
The Eighth
Battalion, the SIKH Regiment (8 SIKH) will be shortly relieving
the First Battalion, the Eleventh Gorkha Rifles (1/11 GR) as the
Indian battalion in UNIFIL, Lebanon. A Battalion with outstanding
performance is selected for UN tasks.
8 SIKH has acquitted
itself creditably in the wars fought by India in 1965 and 1971
as also during counter terrorist operations. More recently, the
battalion also participated in OP VIJAY and made invaluable contribution
in the capture of the strategically important feature of Tiger
Hill.
Ever since its raising
in 1963, the battalion has been awarded a Unit Citation,
three Vir Chakra, 14 Sena Medals and 12 Mentioned-in-Desptaches
in various operations.
