Bangladesh has several responsibilities in the UN peacekeeping mission. There are helicopter pilots who serve as peacekeepers for the UN. They are locally trained so they have to face several unknown threats and challenges. They have been trained in a different terrain therefore making their job easier.[citation needed]
History
Early Deployments
Bangladesh's involvement in UN peacekeeping began in 1988, with the deployment of military observers to the United Nations Iran–Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). This marked a significant shift in the country’s global engagement, reaffirming its commitment to international peace efforts. The following year, Bangladeshi police joined peacekeeping efforts, and by 1993, all three branches of the armed forces—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—had become active participants.
In the early 1990s, Bangladesh escalated its role with large-scale deployments. As part of the UNIKOM mission following the Gulf War, a mechanized infantry brigade of over 2,000 personnel was sent to Kuwait. In 1994, during the UNPROFOR mission in Bosnia, 1,200 Bangladeshi troops replaced a French contingent and were later besieged by Bosnian Serb forces. Despite being under-equipped and denied NATO air support, they held their ground, displaying resilience under hostile conditions. More than 100 peacekeepers were killed in the region, including Bangladeshis.
During the Rwandan Civil War, UN mission commander General Roméo Dallaire alleged that Bangladeshi troops sabotaged their own vehicles to avoid patrol duties, although this claim has been contested. These early deployments presented significant operational challenges, but they also solidified Bangladesh's reputation as a reliable UN contributor.
In 2005, nine peacekeepers were killed in Congo, one of the deadliest losses for Bangladeshi forces abroad. In 2007, allegations of misconduct involving Bangladeshi troops in South Sudan led to internal investigations and disciplinary action.
Innovation and Recognition
In 2015, Bangladesh deployed the first all-Muslim, all-female peacekeeping unit to Haiti, consisting of 160 women. The contingent was praised for professionalism and featured in the documentary *Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers*. That same year, Bangladeshi peacekeepers used boats to patrol the Niger River in Mali under the MINUSMA mission, showcasing adaptability in complex terrain.
Beyond operational deployments, peacekeeping has served as a source of national pride, soft power, and diplomatic capital for Bangladesh. Its consistent contributions have strengthened the country’s standing within the UN system. Domestically, participation offers professional military experience and higher pay scales for personnel, while helping maintain the apolitical structure of the armed forces.
Bangladesh remains one of the top troop-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping as of 2025.
Roles and responsibilities
Women from Bangladesh also received opportunities to volunteer as a peacekeeper, setting a benchmark for all the other women in Bangladesh. This was a challenge for them. They were the first two females to be chosen as military pilots in 2014.
They work under Monusco Banair at the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Their aim here is to help people in distress when they need their aid and help. Challenges are also a part of their mission. They are supported by instructors, which helps them continue their missions.
Contributions
Bangladesh forces under Blue Helmet
Bangladesh has served and sacrificed for the UN for over 3 decades. Bangladesh is currently the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping. Bangladesh and the United Nations have a strong relationship.
Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
First UN force to serve with the Organization in 1988, to help monitor the armistice between Iran and Iraq.
A lot of medical teams supporting peacekeepers and people in remote regions.
Delivering critical medical aid to remote communities
Monitor political processes
Facilitate humanitarian rights
Protect civilians
Provide necessary services
Provide protection
Repair and design infrastructure
Ongoing peacekeeping missions participated by Bangladesh
Contribution of bd forces
Presently from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force are deployed in 11 ongoing UNPKOs in 5 countries where in UN peacekeepers total 6089. Within that more than 4,900 personnel from Bangladesh Army are now deployed in various contingents or as Staff Officers/Military Observers in 13 peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh Navy has its ships and water crafts deployed in UNMISS (South Sudan). The Air Force has its helicopters and fixed wing aircraft in MONUSCO (DR Congo) and MINUSTAH (Haiti). A good number of officers from Bangladesh Armed Forces are also working in UNDPKO as well.[2]
In Liberia, communication network improved by Bangladeshi peacekeepers. The BANENGR-8, which is tasked to maintain and repair roads in Bong County, is making all out efforts to reestablish the communication network in the country. They repaired 81km Gbarnga-Salala Road, 80km Gbarnga-Ganta Road and 44km Gbrnga-Zorzor Road. Also carried out repair work of an entry road from CARI Complex to UN Water Point and internal roads in Gbarnga city and constructed a connecting road near CARI, The BANENGR-7, deployed in Nimba County, constructed and repaired 101km Ganta-Tappita Road, 26km Sanniquelli-Loguatu Road and 2.85km road under Ganta city. Twenty-two culverts were built. They also constructed the playground of an orphanage and two passenger-sheds and carried out development work and welfare activities of different organisations.[3][4]
Training and Doctrine
All Bangladeshi peacekeepers undergo specialized training before deployment, in accordance with United Nations standards. The primary institution responsible for this preparation is the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), located in Rajendrapur Cantonment, Gazipur. Established in 1999, BIPSOT is a military-run facility that trains personnel from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police, as well as participants from friendly nations.
BIPSOT offers a wide range of courses, including:
**United Nations Military Observers’ Course (UNMOC)**
**Military Peacekeeping Intelligence (MPKI)**
**Women, Peace and Security Course (WPSC)**
**Pre-deployment training for troops and police units**
The institute emphasizes multilingual communication, cultural sensitivity, negotiation, and conflict de-escalation. It also houses a language lab offering instruction in French and other UN working languages.
BIPSOT has hosted international delegations and training collaborations with countries such as Australia, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. In 2011, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the facility and praised Bangladesh’s contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
As of 2025, BIPSOT has trained over 10,000 Bangladeshi peacekeepers and continues to serve as a regional hub for peace operations education.
Casualties
As a result of its contributions to various UN peacekeeping operations, 168 Bangladesh peacekeepers have lost their lives and at least 257 injured.[5][6] The leader of the Bangladesh contingent to Namibia (UNTAG), Lieutenant Colonel Md. Faizul Karim, died in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1989. He was the first Bangladeshi officer who died on a peacekeeping mission abroad.128 Bangladeshi Peacekeepers were posthumously awarded Dag Hammarskjöld Medals.[7]
The performance of Bangladesh's contingents has been described as being of the highest order and the appointment of several senior Bangladesh military officers as the Commander of UN peacekeeping missions and Senior Military Liaison Officers, may be seen as further recognition of the Bangladesh Army's growing esteem in the peacekeeping community.[8] In 2008, the BBC in described the Bangladeshi UN Force as "the cream of UN peacekeepers".[9]
Female Leadership in Peacekeeping
Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader in promoting gender inclusion within United Nations peacekeeping operations.[10] Since the early 2000s, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have steadily increased the deployment of female personnel across military, police, and aviation roles. As of 2025, over 1,700 Bangladeshi women have served in UN peacekeeping missions, with 373 currently deployed in various capacities.[11]
In 2015, Bangladesh made history by deploying the first all-Muslim, all-female peacekeeping unit to Haiti under MINUSTAH. The unit, composed of 160 women, was praised internationally for professionalism and cultural sensitivity.[12] Their deployment was featured in the award-winning documentary Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers.[13]
Notably, Lieutenant Colonel Rubana Nowshin Mithila has served in missions in Côte d’Ivoire and South Sudan. In a 2024 interview, she emphasized the benefits of inclusive leadership.[14] The Bangladesh Air Force has also deployed female helicopter pilots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reflecting a growing trend of operational leadership by women.
Bangladesh is currently on track to exceed the UN’s 2025 gender inclusion targets for peacekeeping staff and military observers.[15]
Awards
Members of the Bangladesh Police Women Contingent BANFPU-1, serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Kinshasa, were awarded the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal on 7 August 2025 in recognition of their service. 178 peacekeepers, among them 68 women recipients received the medal. Additionally, 23 Individual Police Officers (IPOs) serving in MONUSCO were jointly honoured. The contingent has been deployed in Kinshasa since 27 May 2024. [16][17]
Gallery
Lt Gen Dennis Gyllenspore, FC MINUSMA visiting BANSIG at GAO, Mali
Medal parade of BANSRIC and BANMMRLU in UNAMID by FORCE CHIEF OF STAFF Brig Gen Shahid Mahmud
BANAIR-13 members at Bunia, Province Orientale, Republique democratique du Congo.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers of MONUSCO patrol around Bunia, DR Congo
BANAIR-13 with Congo Pygmies at Mambasa, Democratic Republic Congo.
Emergency Crash and Rescue Section of MONUSCO Force, in Bunia, Ituri
Guard of Honour during UN Medal Awarding Parade at Bunia,Congo.
BANSIG contingent at GAO, Mali under MINUSMA
A technician maintains a Bangladeshi Mi-17 helicopter at the MONUSCO base in Bunia, DR Congo
↑ Momen, Nurul (19 February 2006). "Bangladesh-UN partnership". 15th Anniversary Special: Bangladesh & The World. The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
Murphy, Dean E. “Peacekeeper Wounded in Bosnia Dies.” *Los Angeles Times*, 14 December 1994.
Blair, David. “To Prevent Another Rwanda, All It Takes Is a Few Well-Trained Troops.” *The Telegraph*, 3 April 2014.
Elliott, Francis & Elkins, Ruth. “UN Shame Over Sex Scandal.” *The Independent*, 7 January 2007.
“Militants Kill Bangladeshi UN Peacekeeper in Mali.” *The Express Tribune*, 26 May 2015.
Buerk, Roland. “The Cream of UN Peacekeepers.” *BBC News*, 18 January 2006.
“World’s Most Dangerous Peacekeeping Mission.” *BBC News*, 20 November 2015.
Academic and Reference Works
Hossain, Urmee. “United Nations Organization.” In *Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh*, 2nd ed., edited by Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2012.
Documentaries and Interviews
*Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers.* Documentary Film, 2015.
HuffPost. “All-Women Bangladeshi Peacekeeping Unit Defies Stereotypes,” 25 September 2015.
Women in the World/NYT. “Bangladesh Produces World’s First All-Women UN Peacekeeping Unit,” 20 September 2015.
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