135 Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan honoured with UN medals

Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan. (Source: Twitter @unmissmedia)

India News Network | June 15New Delhi: Nearly 135 Indian peacekeepers deployed with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been honoured with UN medals for their “outstanding performance.”India is among the largest troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions.“Take a bow, people of #India! Some 135 of your peacekeeping troops, based in #SouthSudan and serving with #UNMISS, have received @UN medals for their outstanding performance in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area,” the UN Mission in South Sudan said in a tweet on Monday.About 135 Indian and 103 Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving in the mission were awarded for their service.“My heartfelt congratulations to all these officers for their contributions towards the fulfilment of the UNMISS mandate in this challenging environment,” UNMISS Force Commander Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar said, according to a news article released by the mission.The article noted the Indian troops are stationed in Bor, Pibor and at a temporary operating base in Akobo and have engaged in a variety of activities, including civil-military cooperation such as a veterinary camp.In carrying out their duties, the Indian peacekeepers have also dealt with the “often-violent” reality in a volatile part of South Sudan, often plagued by inter-communal violence. Flooding and the resulting displacement of thousands of people have further complicated matters,” the UNMISS news article said.Sector East Commander Brigadier General Deepak Kumar Baniya voiced admiration for the military personnels’ desire to achieve peace. “The price of peace is sometimes very high,” he said.