Indian Battalion to command Kazakhstan Army contingent

New Delhi [India], Nov 15 (ANI): In a big boost to the military relations and diplomacy, Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Company has been co-deployed with India's 11 JAT Infantry Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
On this first of its kind occasion, the troops of a foreign country will be operated and be administered under the command of the Indian Army. Both India and Kazakhstan army troops are co-deployed in a UN Peacekeeping Operation. The Company arrived at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut and thereafter was received an escorted to the area of deployment by the 11 JAT Battalion.
Even the troop reimbursements will also be routed through India. There are around 120 Kazakh troops out of the total 900 troops deployed as part of the Indian Battalion. The troops of the two countries are well enmeshed. It will allow 30 Kazak troops out of the 120 to be part of Battalion Head quarters which will take decision on the operational and the administrative issues. These troops in the head quarters will carry out mix patrolling in a coordinated manner.
The Kazak Company is commanded by Major Ayan Nurkassov. Col Jeevan B is the Commanding Officer of the 11 JAT and will be the overall commander of the unit located in the Marjayoun area and the Battalion Head quarters is location at 4-2. The Kazakhstan Company is located at 4-3.
It took one year with 30 soldiers, officers and men, coming to India and staying with the 11 JAT unit in India and training with them for 30 days. Also, two Indian Army teams had gone to Kazakhstan for training and validation of the troops was done so that they can come to commonality of response. Talking to ANI an officer said, "This is part of the initiative to allow capabilities of the friendly foreign countries."
Indian Unit in Lebanon is deployed about 40 kilometers of the total 121 kilometers of Blue Line which demarcates the borders between Lebanon and Israel. Indian Army is manning this position since 1988. This portion is considered most contentious as it is undemarcated.
India and Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation includes military-technical cooperation, military education and training, joint military exercises, bilateral exchange of visits and cadet youth exchange programs. Over 200 Kazakh Defence Forces Personnel have undergone military training in India till date. Both countries successfully conducted a company level joint military exercise 'KAZIND-2018' in South Kazakhstan, from September 10-23 in Otar region, Kazakhstan.
India and Kazakhstan are bound by historical and cultural ties and this has laid a strong foundation for the multifaceted cooperation. Both countries are strategic partners since 2009.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of Defence Nurlan Yermekbayev presided over the flag off ceremony of the Kazakhstan contingent that will join the Indian contingent at United Nations International Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon. India's partnership with Kazakhstan in UN Peacekeeping reflects its desire to support Kazakhstan in its contribution to global peace. The contingents of both countries worked together over the past one year to prepare for this joint deployment. The Kazakh contingent will join the Indian Contingent at Lebanon by the end of this month.
India is holding exercises with every important nation of the world. In the recent time the Indian forces have been forthright in Human Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. This is a success of the military diplomacy of the country. (ANI)