| A
Task Force comprising IN Guided Missile Corvette, LST
and Tanker was immediately deployed off Somalia once
the US led coalition force launched 'Operation
Restore Hope' in Dec 92. This joint
operation of the Indian Armed Forces as part of UN
peacekeeping mission in the civil war ravaged Somalia
continued to be backed up by one IN warship on
constant surveillance and patrol task off the Somalia
coast along with the warships of multinational forces
till Oct 93. The IN thus spent a total of 347 ship
days maintaining vigil along the Somali coast and
ports during 1992-93.
The
IN was specifically tasked to support the de-induction
of the Indian Army contingent from Somalia in Dec 94.
Consequently, an IN Task Force comprising two Guided
Missile Frigates and a Tanker with their organic air
elements successfully de-inducted the last of the
Indian troops from Kishmayu in Southern Somalia from
06-10 Dec 94 and later supported de-induction of the
full Brigade from the Somali capital of Mogadishu from
13-23 Dec 94. The Task Force undertook aerial
reconnaissance using ship borne helicopters, provided
fire cover with gun-mounted helicopters and remained
in close proximity of the Somali ports to provide
Naval Gunfire Support to the Army to meet any
eventuality during the full de-induction phase. It is
noteworthy that despite the large scale violence
between the warring clans resulting in collateral
casualties of UN forces as well as the potential of
trigger happy factions in all sides; not a single shot
had to be fired throughout the de-induction period.
This itself is an indicator of the respect and
reputation the Indian Armed Forces commanded in
Somalia as well as the professionalism demonstrated by
the IN Task Force.
Deployment
of Indian Armed Forces in Somalia clearly demonstrated
to the world India's resolve and capability to backup
international commitments.
|
