Has any contingent from India gone for UN mission in Sierra Leon? If so, when and who?

Answer 1

Indian troops formed part of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL - July 98 To Oct 99) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL- Nov 99 to Feb 01)

India deputed Brig SC Joshi, Chief Military Observer with two military observers to the UNOMSIL -mission. The mission was changed to a full fledged peacekeeping mission and renamed as UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). India deployed medical unit deployed since Jul 1999 and also sent a battalion group in Dec 1999. Maj General VK Jaitley was the Force Commander from India of the mission. In May 2000, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) laid siege to two Indian peacekeeping companies at Kailahun and took 23 peacekeepers as hostage. After protracted efforts by the UN, RUF released the Indian peacekeepers held hostage, however the siege of Kailahun continued. During the first week of July when all other means to come to an agreeable solution had failed, it was decided to execute OP KHUKRI. The plan was to relocate the two besieged companies from Kailahun to Daru, through a combination of road and air extrication. The operation was launched at first light 15 Jul 2000 and was successfully completed by last light 16 Jul 2000. OP KHUKRI not only put to rest myths about RUF capabilities, it is also put the RUF on the defensive and helped solve the crisis to a large extent. The resounding success of the operation executed by Indian peacekeepers in the heartland of RUF controlled territory won praise from all quarters. In Sep 2000, the Indian government decided to withdraw its contingent from the mission "in order to give a chance to other nations" to operate in UNAMSIL. De-induction was completed by Feb 2001. Indian units in the mission were 18 GRENADIERS, Companies each from 14, 23 and 11 Mechanised Infantry Battalions, two field company engineers an artillery battery and a medical unit.

Answer 2

Yes. An Indian was the force commander for a year, and India has also provided military personnel. Here is all the information that is readily available:
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamsil/facts.html