A multinational operation in which India, Ghana, Great Britain and Nigeria were involved was launched on 13 June 2000 to break the two-month siege laid by armed frameworks of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).
Operation Khukri from Indian Army in Sierra Leone (file image)
Operation Khukri is again in the news, after a 25 -year -old gap, when 233 soldiers from the Indian army were held hostage by rebels in the West African Land Sierra Leone. Randep Hooda will portray Majoor -General Raj Pal PUNIA in the upcoming military drama film with the same name. Poonia was the business commander of the 14th mechanized infantry, he navigated the distance. The film is based on Penguin Random House India’s bestseller ‘Operation Khukri: The Untold Story of the Indian Army’s Bravest Peacekeeping Mission abroad’.
What happened to the Indian army in Sierra Leone?
A multinational operation in which India, Ghana, Great Britain and Nigeria were involved was launched on 13 June 2000 to break the two-month siege laid by armed frameworks of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). India sent the 5/8th Gorkha rifles, 14th mechanized infantry and the 23rd mechanized infantry to Sierra Leone to help the government disarm the RUF rebels. The Indian contingent was jointly called Indbatt-1. During a meeting with the RUF rebels, some commanders were captured in Kailahun. Some hostages were released within ten days.
RUF -Rebels conquer 500 Kenyan Peace Enforcers
The rebels took 500 Kenyan peacefulists and started marching to the capital Freetown, where Indian soldiers were deployed. The Indian contingent stood out, recorded the RUF rebels and freed the Kenyan troops. The situation in Kailahun deteriorated and the two companies of 5/8th Gorkha rifles stayed there, surrounded by hundreds of rebels. Conversations to free the Indian soldiers went on for 75 days without results. In the meantime, preparations were made to break the siege of Kailahun.
Operation Khukri succeeds
The Indian contingent in Kailahun was informed of the plan, and they were constantly kept in contact by satellite telephones and Malayalam to communicate so that the rebels could not understand. The Indian operation succeeded and they broke the siege at Kailahun and freed all soldiers. One soldier was killed in Operation Khukri, which was a big boost for the moral of Unamsil. The Indian army was welcomed with a delicious welcome when they triumphantly marched to Daru.
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