Islamabad, Jun 3 (IANS): Pakistan remains the second-largest contributor of troops in UN peacekeeping activities, the Pakistani military said Sunday. Bangladesh is the biggest contributor and India is third after Pakistan.

Pakistan has so far contributed 142,452 soldiers in UN missions across the world, Xinhua reported citing a statement from the army.

Up till now, 128 Pakistani peacekeepers -- 10.24 percent of the total fatalities from the UN -- have sacrificed their lives in the noble cause of helping humanity, building peace and bringing stability across the world.

At present, 9,461 Pakistani peacekeepers are deployed in seven different UN missions. This constitutes 9.71 percent of the total UN peacekeepers strength.

Pakistan's journey with UN peacekeeping operations began in 1960 when it first deployed its troops in Congo. The country has taken part in 41 UN peacekeeping missions, the statement said.

Since 1948, there have been 64 UN peacekeeping operations. Around 130 nations have contributed personnel at various times, and 114 are currently providing uniformed peacekeepers, according to the UN.

Till March 31, 2011, there were 15 peacekeeping operations under way with a total of 122,843 personnel. Total fatalities among the peacekeepers stand at 2,856.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was observed May 29.