United Nations :UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's proposal to split theDepartment of Peacekeeping Operations has came under attack from the G-77 bloc,including India, which said the move would not only adversely affect thefunctional efficiency of peacekeepers but also expose them to greater dangers.

Ban has proposed that DPKO be bifurcated into two - mission support orlogistics and operations.

Diplomats participating in a closed door discussion of the G-77 developingcountries ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting on February five said IndianAmbassador Nirupam Sen strongly argued that in any military operation, theoperational commander decides on what resources to deploy.

Separating them would completely impair the functional efficiency and therebyexpose soldiers to greater danger, he was quoted as saying.

The argument, the participants said, was well taken by the 130-member G-77group and several ambassadors expressed support with the troop contributorsstrongly backing Sen.

India is a major troop contributor for peacekeeping operations.

Sen was quoted as arguing that even if there are good relations personallybetween Under Secretaries General for operations and logistics or missionsupport, there would be no coordination below especially in the field.

As all assets such a helicopters and other equipment would be under missionsupport, the operations would be adversely affected and soldiers exposed togreater danger.