Chattogram: An 85-member contingent of the Bangladesh Navy departed Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram today, heading to join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on a special flight. These naval personnel will serve aboard the Bangladesh Navy ship 'Sangram', deployed as part of BANCON-16.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the departure ceremony was attended by Chief Staff Officer Captain M Ashraful Alam, who represented the Commander of the Chattogram Naval Region and formally bid farewell to the personnel. Senior Navy officers were also present at the event. The farewell follows a recent deployment on November 19, when 25 Navy personnel, led by Captain Fahid Abdullah, left for Lebanon from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a commercial flight.
Meanwhile, 110 sailors from BANCON-15 (UNIFIL) are scheduled to return to Bangladesh on November 27. Prior to the current deployment, Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, Assistant Chief of the Navy (Operations), briefed the sailors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Bangladesh Navy's image through honesty, dedication, and professional skills while contributing to global peace efforts.
Bangladesh Navy ships have been active participants in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon since 2010. The ship 'Sangram', as a member of the Multinational Maritime Task Force in the Mediterranean, is tasked with preventing illegal weapons infiltration, monitoring suspicious ships and aircraft, conducting rescue operations, training Lebanese military personnel, and providing medical services to the Bangladeshi community in Lebanon.
The ISPR release highlighted the significant contributions of Bangladesh Navy personnel in Lebanon over the past 15 years, noting their dedication and efficiency in global peacekeeping efforts.