Indian Sikh Peacekeepers in Lebanon

[Angelino]

Note that these guys are of the Sikh religion (the turbans give it away). Every Sikh has the name "Singh" as either the middle or last name. Gotta love the sign

[STIG]

haha...good find angelino

[slonu]

Nice find. thanks

[Chewy Jada]

UN powder blue turbans. Sweet.

[B25Hmitchell]

Singh means Lion right ?

[ex1cdo]

UN powder blue turbans. Sweet.

Our coppers who are Sikhs wear turbans that match their uniforms. Looks good.

[rajkhalsa]

Singh means "Lion". The "Singh is King" is a popular phrase every place you find Punjabis


These Soldiers are from the 800 Indian peacekeeping soldiers from 4 Sikh Regiment, one of the oldest and highest decorated Regiments of the Indian Army and the world.

With 73 Battle Honours, the largest collection of Victoria Crosses, Param Vir Chakras and equivalent, the Saga of Saragarhi, the young soldiers of the Sikh Regiment are proud to wear the regimental colours of India's highest decorated regiment. Since it's raising more than 150 years ago, the regiment has been in the vanguard of various actions and operations both in the pre and post-independence era in India and abroad.

In all, the Regiment has to its credit 1652 gallantry awards and honours including 10 Victoria Cross, two Param Vir Chakra, 14 Maha Vir Chakra and 68 Vir Chakra. In addition it has also earned 73 battle honours and 38 theatre honours besides four COAS Unit Citation (including the one bestowed upon 8 Sikh during the 1999 Kargil episode) and two "Bravest of the Brave" citations.



^ A Sikh Regiment Soldier in Dress Uniform

4 Sikh in particular has immense combat experience and served with distinction in both world wars and in nearly every Indian. One of their most famous battles was the Battle of Saragarhi.

Defending Saragarhi, 12 September 1897

"Saragarhi is the incredible story of 21 men of the 36th Sikh Regiment (currently the 4th Sikh Regiment) who gave up their lives in devotion to their duty. In keeping with the tradition of the Indian Army, they fought to the death rather than surrender. The Battle at Saragarhi is one of eight stories of collective bravery published by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It has been mentioned as one of the five most significant events of its kind in the world which includes the Saga of Thermoplyae associated with the heroic stand of a small Greek force against the mighty Persian Army of Xerxes in 480 B.C."

^ A Sikh Regiment Band Leader in Dress Uniform


A CBS News report had this to say about Indian peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon during the recent war.

The Indian contingent consists of tough Sikh infantry soldiers who have more combat experience than either the Israeli or Lebanese armies. But under the "passive peacekeeping" operation rules they have only light weapons and often no weapons at all. "They are not there to impose peace with force", an Indian officer said. (To do that they would need sophisticated weaponry.) Ironically, most of these soldiers could carry out better infantry pincer movements against the Hezbollah than the Israelis but that's not their assignment.

[ex1cdo]

These Soldiers are from the 800 Indian peacekeeping soldiers from 4 Sikh Regiment, one of the oldest and highest decorated Regiments of the Indian Army and the world.

I can think of few Commonwealth soldiers I'd rather serve with. Tough, dedicated, honourable. Good men.