Pakistan pays tribute to its ‘bravest’ UN peacekeepers

As one of the top troop-contributing countries, Pakistan deeply values the vital role played by the "blue helmets” in maintaining security and stability in many conflict-ridden areas around the world, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Wednesday.

In the wake of the crash of a Pakistan army helicopter during UN peacekeeping duties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the FO said the missions were in constant touch with the UN authorities.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations New York are in constant touch with the UN authorities to facilitate and expedite the early repatriation of the mortal remains, and to ascertain the details and cause of the helicopter crash,” the FO statement said.

A Pakistan army helicopter deployed on peacekeeping duties with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) crashed during a reconnaissance operation on Tuesday. There were 8 UN peacekeepers including six Pakistani troops on board, none of whom survived the unfortunate crash. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.

The FO extended "deepest and heartfelt condolences” to the families of the deceased for their ultimate sacrifice for the cause of maintaining international peace and security. "157 of Pakistan’s bravest peacekeepers have already fallen in the line of duty while serving in UN missions,” it said.

The FO said Pakistan was proud of its long-standing and consistent contributions to UN peacekeeping spanning over six decades. Since 1960, over 200,000 of our servicemen have served with honour and valour in 46 UN Missions in almost all continents of the world.

"Through their professionalism and dedication, our peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in every mission they have participated in,” it said.

Pakistan has always played a pivotal role as a responsible member of the international community to help realise ideals of global peace and security through active participation in various UN peacekeeping missions, the  army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

"Our Peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in executing challenging peacekeeping tasks in conflict-prone areas through devotion and, if necessary, rendering supreme sacrifices," the statement added.

Agencies