Nepal Army marks International Day of UN Peacekeepers

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Army commemorated the International Day of UN Peacekeepers with a special program at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Panchkhal, Kavrepalanchok, on Monday.

During the program, Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel presented certificates of honour to the families of two soldiers who lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Five soldiers who made outstanding contributions to peacekeeping operations were also recognised with commendation certificates.

Defence Secretary Kedar Nath Sharma, Inspector General of Nepal Police Dan Bahadur Karki, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal Narayan Dutta Poudel, senior officials of the National Investigation Department, local elected representatives, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chief District Officer of Kavrepalanchok, military attachés from various friendly countries, journalists, and Nepal Army personnel of different ranks were present on the occcasion.

A peacekeeping operations demonstration was also showcased during the program.

Nepal has been contributing troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1958. Nepal is currently the largest contributor of UN peacekeepers. A total of 4,179 Nepali peacekeepers are currently serving in nine missions around the world.

So far, 74 Nepali Army personnel have lost their lives, and 77 have been injured while serving in the global peacekeeping effort.