PARTICIPATION IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION
IN CONGO
LOK SABHA
India is participating
in the second peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic
of Congo. India has agreed to deploy an Indian Air Force Aviation
Unit and an Indian Army Rifle Company, to the present UN Mission
in Congo, called MONUC. The Indian contingent comprises 242 personnel
of the IAF with nine helicopters and a Rifle Company of ninety
personnel. The role of the Indian contingent will include cargo
transport, troop movement, medical transport, armed escort, search
and rescue missions and surveillance flights etc.
An evaluation of
the risk factors involved has been carried out. Ground assessment
of the situation has been done by a team of IAF officers. Both
the IAF and Army detachments are suitably equipped and trained
for all contingencies. The Rifle Company is tasked for providing
the security to the Aviation Unit.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi
George Fernandes in a written reply to in Lok Sabha today.
