With the UN peacekeepers action against Ugandan rebels in full swing on the borders with Congo, India on Saturday despatched 2,700 more troops comprising three battalions to take part in the operation.
Men of the 15 Kumaon, 2/11 Gorkha Rifles and 5 Para along with a infantry Brigade headquarters left for the war-torn north-eastern part of Congo, where UN peacekeepers are pushing Ugandan rebels back to their country.
Earlier, this month Indian peacekeepers suffered some casualties, when their camp was attacked by Ugandan rebels, but despite the attack, the peacekeepers deployed helicopter gunships dislodging and chasing away the rebels.
"The aim of the United Nations contingent would be to demilitarise, demobilise, disarm the warring factions", the Deputy Chief of the Army staff Lt Gen Mohinder Puri told the departing troops.
Simultaneously, India has also despatched two more battalions comprising 1,800 personnel of the 8 Jammu and Kashmir Light infantry and 1/5 Gorkha Rifles to Sudan, in another UN peacekeeping mission.
This is the first time that Indian troops have been sent to an African country, where the UN contigent is being led by an Indian, General AS Lidder.
{{/usCountry}}This is the first time that Indian troops have been sent to an African country, where the UN contigent is being led by an Indian, General AS Lidder.
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