India is closely monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon, where nearly 900 Indian soldiers serve as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The area has witnessed the firing of rockets and artillery in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.
UNIFIL, stationed along the 110-kilometer ‘Blue Line,’ which has seen intense confrontations between Israeli and Shiite Islamic Hezbollah forces in the past, reported several rocket launches from southeast Lebanon into Israeli-occupied territory, specifically in the Kafr Chouba area on Sunday. In response, Israel initiated artillery fire into Lebanon.
Additionally, explosions were detected near Al-Boustan in southwest Lebanon on Monday. UNIFIL, consisting of approximately 10,500 peacekeepers from 48 nations, has called upon authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any further escalation.
An Indian official confirmed, “There have been no attacks or explosions in the areas where the Indian contingent is deployed.” India also has approximately 200 soldiers stationed as part of the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, monitoring the situation between Israeli and Syrian forces.
In total, India currently deploys 5,934 soldiers in various United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide. Over the decades, India has lost 159 soldiers in UN operations, including six in UNIFIL and two in UNDOF. The nation remains committed to its role in global peacekeeping efforts, even in challenging and volatile regions.
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