India has strongly denounced recent assaults on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon and called for the safeguarding of all personnel operating under the UN banner. A tragic incident on March 29 near Adchit Al Qusayr resulted in the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper and severe injury to another after a projectile hit a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) position.
India’s Permanent Mission to the UN issued a statement condemning the attack and honoring the fallen “Blue Helmets,” emphasizing the necessity for the protection of peacekeepers. Stressing its significant involvement in UN peacekeeping missions, India highlighted the essence of multilateralism in action and its commitment to enhancing accountability despite being among the nations enduring the highest peacekeeper casualties.
Referring to UN Security Council Resolution 2589 passed during its Council presidency in August 2021, India reiterated the call for holding accountable those responsible for crimes against peacekeepers. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the assault, extending condolences to the victim’s family and the Indonesian government while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Guterres flagged the incident as part of a series jeopardizing peacekeepers amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, warning that attacks on UN personnel could amount to war crimes and underlining the necessity for accountability. He urged all parties to de-escalate, adhere to international law, and ensure the safety and mobility of UNIFIL personnel.
With over 7,500 peacekeepers from 48 countries, including 642 from India, UNIFIL stands as one of the largest troop contributors to the mission as of February 2026. The Secretary-General’s office stressed the urgency of upholding the safety and rights of UNIFIL personnel amidst the prevailing hostilities.
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