peacekeepers under attack

3 Bangladeshis killed, four injured in Mali

Three Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and four others injured in an IED (improvised explosive device) blast by terrorists in conflict-torn northern Mali yesterday. The deceased were identified as Sergeant Altaf (EME) of Dinajpur, Lance Corporal Jakirul (Artillery) of Netrakona, and Sepoy Monwar (Infantry) of Barisal. The injured are Major Jadid (Infantry) of Dhaka, Corporal Mohim (Infantry) of Noakhali, Sepoy Sabuj (Infantry) of Naogaon and Sepoy Sarwar (Infantry) of Jessore.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound shock at the death of three Bangladeshi peacekeepers. In a message of condolence, Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed her deep sympathy to the bereaved families.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) said the attack, which also left another five soldiers seriously wounded, took place early Sunday on a road between the city of Gao and a village called Anefis.

According to a press release issued by Inter service Public Relations (ISPR), the Bangladeshi peacekeepers came under attack as they were returning to their camp after performing their duties. The blast came a day after Bangladeshi peacekeepers successfully fended off another armed attack.

The injured peacekeepers have been shifted to Gaon town for better treatment.

On September 5, two MINUSMA peacekeepers were killed and another two seriously wounded in a similar attack on their vehicle which was part of a logistical convoy in the northeast. There are frequent clashes between rival armed groups in northern Mali which is also a haven for jihadist activity.

Since 2013, when MINUSMA was deployed in

Mali, 80 peacekeepers have been killed, making it the most costly UN mission in terms of human life since Somalia.

In 2012, key cities fell under the control of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist groups who exploited an ethnic Tuareg-led rebel uprising, leading to a French-led military intervention and the UN deployment a year later. Although the Islamists were largely ousted, much of the region is lawless and attacks have continued on UN and French forces, civilians and the Malian army.

With yesterday’s casualties, Bangladesh has so far lost 110 members from the police and the armed forces while performing international peacekeeping duties.

In the biggest of the incidents, in December 2003, 63 soldiers, including 15 officers, were killed in a plane crash in the central African state of Benin.

According to the Overseas Operations Directorate of the Army Headquarters, a total of 7,010 UN peacekeepers from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and the police are now deployed in eight ongoing UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs).  

Bangladeshi peacekeepers joined the UN peacekeeping operations for the first time in 1988. The country’s contribution was modest at that time: 31 officers formed part of the UN Iraq-Iran military observer group in Iraq. Since then, Bangladesh participation steadily growed and now has become the largest and the most respected contributor to the UN peacekeeping efforts. The participation of women from Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping missions has also been immensely appreciated. In the past 27 years, Bangladesh has earned over Tk. 5,000 crore by sending out a total of 1,13,258 soldiers in various peacekeeping missions.

peacekeepers under attack

3 Bangladeshis killed, four injured in Mali

Three Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and four others injured in an IED (improvised explosive device) blast by terrorists in conflict-torn northern Mali yesterday. The deceased were identified as Sergeant Altaf (EME) of Dinajpur, Lance Corporal Jakirul (Artillery) of Netrakona, and Sepoy Monwar (Infantry) of Barisal. The injured are Major Jadid (Infantry) of Dhaka, Corporal Mohim (Infantry) of Noakhali, Sepoy Sabuj (Infantry) of Naogaon and Sepoy Sarwar (Infantry) of Jessore. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound shock at the death of three Bangladeshi peacekeepers. In a message of condolence, Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed her deep sympathy to the bereaved families. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) said the attack, which also left another five soldiers seriously wounded, took place early Sunday on a road between the city of Gao and a village called Anefis. According to a press release issued by Inter service Public Relations (ISPR), the Bangladeshi peacekeepers came under attack as they were returning to their camp after performing their duties. The blast came a day after Bangladeshi peacekeepers successfully fended off another armed attack. The injured peacekeepers have been shifted to Gaon town for better treatment. On September 5, two MINUSMA peacekeepers were killed and another two seriously wounded in a similar attack on their vehicle which was part of a logistical convoy in the northeast. There are frequent clashes between rival armed groups in northern Mali which is also a haven for jihadist activity. Since 2013, when MINUSMA was deployed in Mali, 80 peacekeepers have been killed, making it the most costly UN mission in terms of human life since Somalia. In 2012, key cities fell under the control of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist groups who exploited an ethnic Tuareg-led rebel uprising, leading to a French-led military intervention and the UN deployment a year later. Although the Islamists were largely ousted, much of the region is lawless and attacks have continued on UN and French forces, civilians and the Malian army. With yesterdays casualties, Bangladesh has so far lost 110 members from the police and the armed forces while performing international peacekeeping duties. In the biggest of the incidents, in December 2003, 63 soldiers, including 15 officers, were killed in a plane crash in the central African state of Benin. According to the Overseas Operations Directorate of the Army Headquarters, a total of 7,010 UN peacekeepers from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and the police are now deployed in eight ongoing UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs). Bangladeshi peacekeepers joined the UN peacekeeping operations for the first time in 1988. The countrys contribution was modest at that time: 31 officers formed part of the UN Iraq-Iran military observer group in Iraq. Since then, Bangladesh participation steadily growed and now has become the largest and the most respected contributor to the UN peacekeeping efforts. The participation of women from Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping missions has also been immensely appreciated. In the past 27 years, Bangladesh has earned over Tk. 5,000 crore by sending out a total of 1,13,258 soldiers in various peacekeeping missions.