Due to its excellent performance during operations Rakshak and Vijay, 18 Grenadiers was chosen and nominated for United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). However, the battalion had to reach Sierra Leone within a short notice as Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels took more than 500 UN soldiers as hostages, besides ravaging Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. True to its traditions of being operationally ready round the clock, the battalion reached the war ravaged land in less than five days.

Once again 18 Grenadiers had to prove its mettle, but this time on a foreign soil. This involved the pride and prestige of the Indian Anny and India as a whole. Rogberi, an important junction near Freetown, was captured by the rebels when the battalion geared itself to launch its operations. The battalion took the challenging task voluntarily and launched operation Rogberi to free the town from the clutches of the rebels. It was successful in chasing away the rebels within no time. The valiant action of the Grenadiers was appreciated by one and all. The President of Sierra Leone, Dr Alhaji Tejan Kabbah praised the battalion for its gallant action. In another operation, christened operation Masiaka, the Grenadiers freed Masiaka (a big township, 70 kills south-east of Freetown) from the rebels and restored normalcy in this ravaged town.

Operation Khukri was conducted in the Eastern Province of Kailahun to extricate over 230 UNAMSIL personnel held as hostages for over 75 days. The operation was meticulously planned and surgically executed and the entire world witnessed it. The battalion took the RUF rebels by surprise and broke the back-bone of their leadership. This action projected the image of the Indian Army as a very professional force. During his visit to Siera Leone, Defence Ministers Mr George Fernandes applauded the Indian contingent for its gallant action. After operation Khukri, the battalion launched operation Thunderbolt and was successful in dislodging the illegal checkposts of West Side boys (a bunch of disgruntled soldiers of Sierra Leone Army).

The operational readiness, professionalism and the will to genuinely pursue the UN mandate led to manifold increase in trust in the Indian contingent within the UNAMSIL circle as well as amongst the local population. Seeing the battle hardiness and zeal to work, the battalion was given Mile 91, a forward area, held by the rebels as their permanent location.

The battalion reached Mile 91 and found that this place was on the frontline and closest to the rebel-held territory. Taking it as a challenge, the battalion built defences around Mile 91 which are now known as impregnable by the rebels too.

After building defences in and around Mile 91, the blue berets of 18 Grenadiers started feeling jobless. An interaction with the local population, government officials and Sierra Leone Police made them launch peace- building projects. This gave birth to another operation, but this time a bloodless one called operation Goodwill. The aim was to alleviate the trauma and sufferings of the local people including hostages and displaced located at Mile 91 and its surroundings.

Ever since the outbreak of civil war, the farming activities in and around Mile 91 had come to il standstill. With the active assistance and cooperation of the local population, NGOs and Agriculture officials, the battalion cultivated more that 200 acres of land benefitting approximately 10,000 people. Apart from this, a variety of flower seeds were planted transforming Mile 91 into a kaleidoscope.

Education being the most important aspect for the bright future of a country, the battalion decided that old schools be repaired and renovated and new schools be opened to accommodate the displaced children. This led to the opening of three new schools namely Raghukul Kinder Garden, Eklavya Primary School and SLA Primary School and renovation of schools benefiting over 10,000 students. Vocational training was also started to provide some livelihood to the poor families in Mile 91.

When the battalion was stationed at Mile 91, there was a fear of an epidemic breaking out in this area. Without any delay, the battalion launched a massive campaign to spray insecticides and DDT in all community places. Also polio vaccination facilities were provided not only in the safer areas but also deep into the rebel-held territory. This forced the rebels to soften up and they started the peace talks with the Sierra Leone government. Besides taking care of health and hygiene at Mile 91, the battalion built a huge community hall christened Shanti Bhawan (Hall of Peace) and dedicated it to the community. It was inaugurated by the special UN Security Council delegation. With the active assistance of the local population, the battalion gave a facelift to all the existing mosques and churches at Mile 91. This act of the battalion touched the hearts of all sections of the society.