175 Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Have Laid Down Their Lives in UN Missions Since 1988: PM
He also presented awards to armed forces personnel who sustained injuries during recent peacekeeping missions, including those wounded in the Sudan incident.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said that 175 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions since the country joined such operations in 1988.
Speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment, he paid tribute to peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of global peace.
“On this International Day of UN Peacekeepers, I remember with deep respect all the brave peacekeepers around the world who laid down their lives while carrying out the noble responsibility of maintaining world peace,” he said.
During the event, the Prime Minister presented special honours to the spouses of six Bangladesh Army personnel who were killed while serving in Sudan in 2025.
He also presented awards to armed forces members who sustained injuries during recent peacekeeping operations, including the Sudan mission.
In addition, the Prime Minister virtually exchanged greetings with Bangladeshi peacekeepers currently deployed in different UN missions across the globe.
Tarique Rahman noted that since Bangladesh’s participation in UN peacekeeping began in 1988, 175 peacekeepers have died in the line of duty, while many others have been injured. He offered prayers for the departed and expressed sympathy to their families.
“Their sacrifice reflects the commitment of our peacekeepers not only to defending the independence and sovereignty of their homeland but also to upholding peace and stability anywhere in the world under the UN flag,” he said.
The Prime Minister further said that more than 200,000 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police have served successfully in nearly 63 peacekeeping missions across 43 countries.
At present, around 5,860 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are serving in 10 UN missions worldwide with dedication, integrity and professionalism. He added that preparations are underway for Bangladesh’s participation in a new UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
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