Just in: Thirty-two Indian peacekeepers injured, one child killed in explosion in eastern DR Congo; cause unknown: UN mission. Details awaited.


The Indian peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now into its 17th year. While we await more information, here's a report from the Hindu to put things in perspective.


India, a prime contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, has suffered the highest number of casualties among participating countries, accounting for 157 of 3,263 lives lost, as on August 31, 2014.


The death toll has, however, to be seen in the context of India's significant contribution to UN peacekeeping efforts, which adds up to 1,80,000 troops from the time it began taking part in the operations in 1950, the largest number from any country.


Nigeria comes next, having suffered 142 casualties. UN statistics reveal that the 3,000 odd causalties are largely due to accidents, illness and what it calls 'malicious acts', which broadly covers death in different kinds of conflict situations ranging from war to civil unrest.


File pic.