A Pakistani soldier from a peacekeeping mission embraced martyrdom in Abyei. Two other Pakistani peacekeepers were injured in an ambush that happened in the disputed area of South Sudan and Sudan.
The incident happened when a Pakistani mission was transporting two local patients to the hospital. Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed the incident in its press release.
“Pakistani peacekeepers responded effectively and forced the militants to retreat. However, during exchange of fire, Sepoy Muhammad Tariq (resident of Badin, Sindh) embraced martyrdom while four individuals including two officers were injured,” it added.
“Pakistan remains committed to its role as a responsible member of the international community and will continue to contribute towards global peace and stability under the auspices of the United Nations.”
Read more: Pakistan always sacrificed for UN peacekeeping missions
Spokesman to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guetress, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed his deepest condolence on the martyrdom of the Pakistani officer.
António Guterres conveyed his “deepest condolences to the Government and people of Ghana and Pakistan, and to the families of the deceased civilians”.
United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei said it “strongly condemns these attacks against civilians and peacekeepers”.
“Currently, according to local authorities, 52 civilians have lost their lives, while 64 others are said to be gravely wounded,” it said.
Pakistan has been the biggest contributor to the UN Peacekeeping mission. As many as 181 Pakistani soldiers have laid their lives while serving peacekeeping missions.
Ever since Pakistan joined the UN on 30th September 1947, it has made remarkable contributions. Pakistan’s first UN peacekeeping mission began in 1960 in Congo and more than 200,000 Pakistani soldiers have participated in about 70 missions in 28 countries. Furthermore, Pakistan is the third-largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping efforts.
As per reports, the first time Pakistan faced casualties was during the UN Balkan mission when it contributed 3000 troops to the UN Protection Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. During the mission, Pakistan faced 6 casualties.
While having troops in the Balkan countries, Pakistan also contributed 7200 troops to the UN operation in Somalia from March 1992 to February 1996. In fact, Pakistan was the first country to respond to UN calls. The mission left 39 Pakistani troops martyred.