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India Condemns Killing of UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon, Vows Accountability

India has strongly condemned the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) within 24 hours. The country's UN mission stated it will seek accountability for the crime, referencing a 2021 Security Council resolution it championed. The attacks involved explosions targeting a UN base and a logistics convoy, with the origin still under investigation. India, which has lost 164 personnel in UN peace operations historically, currently has 642 personnel serving with UNIFIL.

Key Points: India Condemns UN Peacekeeper Killings in Lebanon

  • Three Indonesian UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon
  • India vows to pursue accountability for attacks
  • UNIFIL operates in volatile Israel-Lebanon border area
  • India is a top contributor to UN peacekeeping
2 min read

India condemns killing of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon​

India condemns attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, vows to pursue accountability. Three Indonesian peacekeepers killed in explosions.

"We condemn the recent attacks on United Nations Peacekeepers... and pay our homage to the fallen Blue Helmets. - India's United Nations Mission"

United Nations, March 31

India condemned on Monday the killing of peacekeepers in Lebanon and said it would seek accountability for the crime.​

Three peacekeepers from Indonesia with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed within 24 hours, according to Under-Secretary for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.​

India's United Nations Mission said in a statement: "We condemn the recent attacks on United Nations Peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL, and pay our homage to the fallen Blue Helmets."​

The United Nations did not disclose the identity of the attackers, pending investigations.​

Lacroix said the incidents were unacceptable and stressed that peacekeepers must never be a target.​

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the killing on Sunday, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.​

UNIFIL operates in an area of Lebanon bordering Israel, where Hezbollah and Israel are active. Its mission is to help the Lebanese government regain control of the area from Hezbollah and also acts as a tenuous buffer with Israel.​

India's mission statement noted that the country had piloted the Security Council resolution in 2021, when it was an elected member, calling for accountability for those who attack peacekeepers. It added that India will continue to pursue action against the perpetrators.​

It further highlighted that India is one of the largest and longest-serving contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping and has lost the most personnel to this cause. Historically, India has lost 164 personnel in peace operations, six of them with UNIFIL.​

Currently, 642 Indians are serving with UNIFIL, including 540 troops.

Lacroix said an Indonesian peacekeeper died on Sunday in an explosion inside a UNIFIL base. ​

On Monday, two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed when an explosion hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy, destroying their vehicle, while two others were injured. ​

He added that the origin of the explosion has not been determined.​

Dujarric said that in another incident on Saturday, a UNIFIL convoy was subjected to six warning shots fired by Israel Defence Force elements stationed nearby, resulting in small arms impact on one of the vehicles.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Heartbreaking news. My prayers are with the families of the Indonesian peacekeepers. It's a dangerous region, and those who serve there are true heroes. India's stance is commendable.
R
Rohit P
642 of our people are serving there right now. This hits close to home. The UN needs to provide better security for its forces. Who is attacking them? The investigation must be swift.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while India's contribution is massive and the condemnation is necessary, I hope our government also pushes for a deeper political solution in the region. Peacekeepers are a band-aid, not a cure.
V
Vikram M
India lost 164 brave souls in these missions. That's a huge sacrifice for global peace. We have the moral authority to demand justice. The perpetrators must be identified and punished, no matter who they are.
M
Michael C
The article mentions warning shots from IDF too. The situation is incredibly tense. UNIFIL is caught in the middle. A strong, unified international response is crucial to protect these forces.

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