Blue Helmets from India
UN Peacekeeping Heroes from Congo to Lebanon
India has been among the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping since 1950. From Captain Salaria's khukri charge in Congo (1961) to modern missions in South Sudan and Lebanon, over 200,000 Indian soldiers have served world peace. More than 170 have died doing so. The tradition of Dharmic protection extends beyond borders.
Warriors for World Peace
When we think of Indian soldiers, we picture them defending the Himalayas or fighting in Kashmir. But there's another story - one that takes Indian warriors to the jungles of Congo, the deserts of Egypt, the mountains of Lebanon, and the savannas of South Sudan.
Since 1950, India has been among the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Over 200,000 Indian troops have worn the Blue Helmet. More than 170 have given their lives - not defending India's borders, but keeping peace in lands far from home.
The First Blue Helmet: Korea 1950
India's peacekeeping journey began in 1950, when the Korean War erupted. India sent the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance - a medical unit - under Lt Col AG Rangaraj. They served in the most dangerous zones, treating wounded soldiers from both sides.
When the war ended, India chaired the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, handling the sensitive task of prisoner exchanges. This was the beginning of India's reputation as a trusted neutral party in global conflicts.
The Khukri Charge in Congo
In 1961, India sent troops to the newly independent Congo (now DR Congo), where civil war and secessionist movements threatened to tear the country apart.
On December 5, 1961, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria of 3/1 Gorkha Rifles was leading a small patrol near Elizabethville. His 16 Gorkhas encountered 90 Katangese gendarmes supported by armored cars. Outnumbered and outgunned, Salaria did what Gorkhas do.
"Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali!" he shouted, leading a charge with bayonets and khukris. In the fierce hand-to-hand combat, his men killed 40 enemies and knocked out both armored cars. Salaria was hit in the neck but continued fighting until he collapsed.
He became the only Indian soldier to receive the Param Vir Chakra in a UN peacekeeping mission. His sacrifice prevented enemy reinforcements from encircling UN Headquarters, saving the entire mission.