1.       Genesis.   Namibia was handed over to South Africa in the early 1920s by the League of Nations, as war reparations and to administer the territory on behalf of the league. In 1945, the UN requested South Africa to return Namibia as part of their decolonization measures. The political process involved Namibia’s transition from an illegally occupied colony to sovereign and independent state. UN established the Transition Assistance Group with mandate to ensure free and fair elections. The military component consisted of three enlarged and reconstituted Infantry Battalions, 300 military observers and a number of logistic units. The total strength of the military component was approximately 4500, with its elements deployed in penny packets at almost 200 locations.

2.      Contribution.    Lieutenant General Diwan Prem Chand, PVSM (Force Commander) and 15 Military Observers represented India. Lieutenant General Diwan Prem Chand played an active role in the preparation for the UNTAG Operations and ensured cordial relationship and close coordination with the special representatives and also between the military and civilian components of UNTAG.