United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Major General Iqbal Singh Singha of India as the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Major General Singha succeeded Major General Natalio C. Ecarma of the Philippines. Bringing extensive command experience and knowledge of peacekeeping attained through national […]

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Major General Iqbal Singh Singha of India as the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

Major General Singha succeeded Major General Natalio C. Ecarma of the Philippines.

Bringing extensive command experience and knowledge of peacekeeping attained through national and international service, Major General Singha’s position prior to his new appointment was General Officer Commanding Infantry Division, a post he held since 2010. Between 2009 and 2010, he served as Brigadier General Staff Operations, and from 2007 to 2009, he was President of the Army Standing Establishment Committee. He was Colonel General Staff Sub-Conventional Operations at the Army Training Command from 2005 to 2006, and held the appointment of Colonel General Staff of an armored division in the Indian Army. From 2003 to 2005, he served as Chief Logistics Officer with the United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Major General Singha holds master’s degrees in defense and strategic studies from Madras University, and in defense studies and management from Devi Ahilya Vidya Peeth, Indore, in India. He also graduated from the National Defense Academy at Pune, and the Army War College at Mhow, in India.

Lieutenant-General Iqbal Singh Singha officiated at his final regimental outing as chief guest of the Fiji contingent presenting them with UNDOF medals.

He was the United Nations Disengagement Observers Force (UNDOF) head of mission and force commander.

Lieutenant- General Singha said, “The medals that I have presented on behalf of the secretary general, Mr Ban Ki- moon, is in recognition of the hard work and dedication to duty by each individual, during your tour of duty with UNDOF.”

He also paid tribute to the Fijian peacekeepers passing through a very sensitive and crucial period when four other troop contributing countries left the mission area without relief.