Kathmandu, Dec 18: Five Armed Police Force (APF) personnel who demonstrated outstanding performance in rescue operations and sports have been selected to directly participate in a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

According to APF spokesperson DIG Manish Thapa, the selected personnel include those who received specialized training in diving and disaster management and played key roles in rescuing civilians during various disasters across the country.

APF Assistant Inspector Dipendra Bista rescued 10 people safely in 19 separate rescue operations in different parts of Nepal. APF Assistant Constable Bharat Kafle rescued five of the 11 people trapped in a fire at Center Plaza in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City and recovered the bodies of 15 people in 20 different incidents.

Similarly, APF Assistant Constable Mekh Bahadur Gurung, a trained diver, has served as an instructor in 17 training camps and actively participated in civilian rescue missions. APF Assistant Constable Kiran Bahadur Bhandari was declared “Jawan of the Year–2081” for his exceptional contribution to service, security, and disaster relief, earning him a mission opportunity under organizational policy.

APF Parichar Puran Rai, associated with the Nepal APF Club, also received a mission opportunity after winning 12 medals, including eight gold, three silver, and one bronze, in sports competitions.

The selected personnel will be deployed with the Nepal Formed Police Unit (FPU) under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. The APF stated that it has ended the practice of deploying personnel to UN missions based on VIP quotas, emphasizing merit-based selection to motivate and encourage dedicated service members.