UN honours 651 Indian Army peacekeepers for service in DR Congo

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

United Nations, July 4 (IANS) In a significant recognition of India’s enduring contribution to global peacekeeping efforts, 651 Indian Army personnel serving under the United Nations were awarded the United Nations Medal during a ceremonial Medal Parade held at the Permanent Operating Base Sake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Army announced on Saturday.

The medals were conferred on the peacekeepers during a ceremony held on Friday, July 3.

The event was attended by senior officials of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), representatives from the Force Headquarters, military commanders and other distinguished guests.

The ceremony recognised the Indian contingent’s professionalism, operational excellence and dedicated service while deployed under the UN peacekeeping mission.

According to the Army, the Indian peacekeepers have been serving in one of the United Nations’ most challenging and volatile operational environments, where they have consistently displayed exceptional courage, resilience and commitment in carrying out their responsibilities.

“Serving in one of the United Nations’ most demanding and volatile peacekeeping environments, the Indian contingent has consistently demonstrated courage, resilience and unwavering commitment in protecting civilians, enhancing security, facilitating humanitarian assistance and supporting the implementation of the UN mandate amid persistent armed violence and complex humanitarian challenges,” the Army said.

The Army stated that the award of the United Nations Medal is a reflection of the Indian Army’s long-standing reputation as one of the most dependable contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations across the world.

“It reflects India’s steadfast commitment to international peace and security and its resolve to protect vulnerable communities in conflict-affected regions,” the Army added.

The ceremony concluded with the peacekeepers reaffirming their pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and selfless service while continuing to serve under the Blue Flag with honour, courage and distinction, bringing pride to the nation and reinforcing India’s legacy as a force for peace across the globe, the Army said.

–IANS

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Ukraine strikes military plant, oil refinery in Russia

Kyiv, Oct 23 (IANS) Ukrainian forces conducted strikes on a military plant and an oil refinery in Russia, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement.

The strikes hit the Saransk Mechanical Plant in the capital of Mordovia, which reportedly produces anti-personnel engineering ammunition, mine-laying kits, ammunition detonators and initiation nodes, causing explosions, according to the statement released on Wednesday.

The Saransk Mechanical Plant is part of the state-owned Rostec Corporation and manufactures equipment and components for various industries, with a primary focus on mechanical engineering and the defence sector, Xinhua news agency reported.

In 2020, the plant was temporarily shut down for 90 days due to safety violations related to explosive production, according to the Russian business daily Kommersant.

Russian air defences intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones overnight and into the morning of Wednesday, including eight over Dagestan, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry.

No drones were reportedly shot down over Mordovia.

Artyom Zdunov, the head of the Mordovia, confirmed that the region had come under a large-scale drone attack, which caused damage to a local enterprise.

A separate attack targeted the Makhachkala oil refinery in Dagestan, where a processing unit was struck, the statement said, adding that the refinery supplies fuel to Russian military vessels of the Caspian Fleet.

Makhachkala Mayor Dzhambulat Salavov initially posted on his Telegram channel that the drone attack had damaged several commercial facilities and two vehicles in the city. However, he deleted the post within 12 minutes.

A photo included in the post showed not only damaged buildings but also military vehicles.

It noted that the strikes were intended to reduce Russia’s military-economic potential.

Ukrainian forces targeted the Bryansk Chemical Plant using UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles on Tuesday.

The operation was conducted jointly by Ukraine’s Air Force in coordination with the Navy, Land Forces, and other military units.

Ukraine has previously used Storm Shadows to strike targets in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, as well as in Russian-occupied Crimea.

The strikes on Russian facilities supporting the war effort in Ukraine come amid ongoing talks between Kyiv and Washington over the potential delivery of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that enhancing Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities could increase pressure on Russia to seek a diplomatic resolution of the full-scale war.

–IANS

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Heavy rain lashes Telangana, red alert for entire state

Hyderabad, Aug 13 (IANS) Heavy rain lashed parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad, on Wednesday under the impact of the low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, while the Hyderabad Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for the entire state for two days.

Director of the Meteorological Centre, K. Nagaratna, said that a red alert has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday across Telangana.

Red warnings have been issued for the districts of Sangareddy, Vikarabad, Medak, Medchal–Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Bhupalpally, and Mulugu districts.

An orange alert has been issued for Hyderabad, Hanumakonda, Adilabad, Jangaon, Kamareddy, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mahabubabad, Mancherial, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Siddipet, and Warangal districts.

She also stated that heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts.

For the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) region, the met centre has issued a red alert for Wednesday and an orange alert for Thursday.

Heavy rain is likely in the state for four days under the impact of a low-pressure area. The rain intensity is expected to be high in north Telangana. Gusty winds with a speed of 40 to 50 km per hour are also likely.

Heavy rain lashed Mancherial, Adilabad, Nirmal, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mulugu and other districts, inundating low-lying areas and affecting road transport to some villages.

In the Warangal district, a shepherd went missing after falling into an overflowing stream. Disaster Response Force, with the help of expert swimmers and local police, was searching for the missing man in Aakeru Vagu.

In Hyderabad, a man was rescued from an open nala in which he fell while trying to collect fodder for sheep. The incident occurred in Yakutpura in the old city of Hyderabad. AIMIM corporator Mohammed Wasey, with the help of locals, rescued the man, identified as Ghouse.

Heavy rain in parts of Hyderabad and its surroundings affected normal life. Traffic was disrupted in some parts of Central Hyderabad and the IT corridors of Madhapur and Gachibowli.

According to Telangana Development Planning Society, Mamidipalle in Balapur of Rangareddy district received maximum rainfall of 8.7 cm till 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Industrial Area Mahankal and Airport, both in Rangareddy district, recorded rainfall of 8 and 7.8 cm, respectively.

In view of the heavy rain alert, authorities declared a half-day holiday for all schools in Hyderabad on Wednesday and Thursday. The IT/ITES companies were also advised to enable work from home for their employees.

In Mancherial district, heavy rain and backwater flow from the Palvai Purushotham Rao project inundated Saligam village in Kannepalli mandal

District Collector Kumar Deepak visited the affected areas and advised residents to vacate submerged houses or high-risk areas immediately and move to safer locations. He directed officials to provide necessary assistance, arrange temporary shelters, and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.

Suryapet district Collector Tejas Nand Lal Pawan urged people to remain vigilant in view of the heavy rain lashing the district.

He inspected the Dondapadu–Jaggayyapet Road Bridge and the Bypass Road Bridge over the Erravagu in Dondapadu village, Chinthalapalem mandal, to assess the water flow situation. On this occasion, the Collector instructed officials to be present on-site and caution people against going near the Erravagu.

Adilabad Collector Rajarshi Shah inspected the Sathnala Project to assess the water levels and safety measures in place. The Collector reviewed the situation with concerned officials and instructed them to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions.

–IANS

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Israel asks civilians in Gaza to evacuate ahead of intensified offensive

Jerusalem, May 23 (IANS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued an urgent call for residents in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate ahead of an expected intensification of its military offensive.

The evacuation order issued on Thursday covered the towns of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, the Jabalia refugee camp, and northern neighbourhoods of Gaza City, areas that Israel has already carried out heavy airstrikes in recent days, killing scores and forcing the local population to flee for the third time or more, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The IDF will significantly expand its military operations in your areas,” said Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the IDF, in a post on X, claiming that militants were operating in the targeted zones.

“The areas you are in are considered dangerous combat zones… For your safety, evacuate immediately to the south,” he added.

Israel has rejected international calls to halt the war and reach a hostage release deal with Hamas.

On Saturday, it launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, significantly escalating its 19-month offensive.

Israeli officials said the aim is to defeat Hamas and secure the return of 58 hostages held in Gaza.

The operation includes seizing control of the entire Gaza Strip, maintaining military control over the territory, and displacing the population to the south, according to Israeli sources.

The Palestinian death toll has reached 53,655 since October 2023, according to the Gaza health authorities.

The Israeli military on May 19 instructed residents of Khan Younis to evacuate as it prepares for what it describes as a major offensive in southern Gaza.

The IDF told civilians to move towards al-Mawasi, a coastal area in western Gaza, warning that Khan Younis and surrounding areas would become a “dangerous combat zone”.

In a statement, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said, “Terrorist organisations have brought you disaster. For your safety, evacuate immediately.”

The order, one of the largest in recent months, also covers Bani Suhaila and Abasan.

The offensive is part of what the IDF has named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which began on May 17.

According to hospitals in Gaza, more than 100 people have been killed in the past 24 hours.

–IANS

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