New Delhi, 02 April (H.S.):

India has strongly condemned recent attacks on United Nations peacekeepers deployed under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), saying those responsible must be held accountable. The Ministry of External Affairs stressed that deliberate assaults on “Blue Helmets” undermine the sanctity of UN peace missions and gravely threaten international peace and security.

India noted that it has been a leading and long‑standing contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and currently has around 600 Indian troops serving in UNIFIL, playing a key role in maintaining stability in southern Lebanon. The government paid tribute to the “Blue Helmets” killed in recent attacks and appealed to all parties to respect the neutrality and security of UN missions.

In line with its commitment as a major peacekeeping nation and with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2589—which seeks accountability for crimes against peacekeepers—India reiterated the need for robust enforcement measures and legal consequences for those who target UN personnel.

The statement comes amid a spate of incidents in southern Lebanon, where several UNIFIL peacekeepers have come under fire. On March 30, a projectile explosion at a UN position killed one peacekeeper and left another critically injured. Subsequent roadside explosions and other attacks have reportedly claimed more lives among the UN contingent.

The flare‑up coincides with heightened tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, further complicating the security environment for the UNIFIL mission.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar