Pitching In

(Fox News) - The nation of India is preparing to make a contribution to the fledging United Nations peacekeeping force for the embattled Darfur region of Sudan.

The French press agency reports India plans to send a group of what it calls "combat trained camels" into the area — at the request of the U.N. Indian border security forces use camels for long-range reconnaissance, including night patrols to track arms and drug smugglers.

The leader of the force's camel division says the animals are trained not to react to gunfire, and are taught to crawl and follow other "soldierly movements." He says they can go up to 50 miles with short breaks carrying a load of ammunition and two soldiers.