Two Indian Peacekeepers to Receive UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

On the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, the United Nations (UN) will honor two Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.

Harbhajan Singh and Sujeet Kumar Pradhan will be posthumously awarded the prestigious UN “Dag Hammarskjöld Medal” for making the supreme sacrifice while serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

In addition, Indian Army officer Abhilasha Barak will also be honored with a UN award for promoting gender inclusion and empowerment during peacekeeping operations.

Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh served with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), while Naib Subedar Sujeet Kumar Pradhan was deployed with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

These medals will be presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the International Day of UN Peacekeepers ceremony. The honor is dedicated to their dedication and supreme sacrifice in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones.

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: 29 May

The world observes the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers every year on 29 May. This day pays tribute to the fallen “Blue Helmets” (peacekeepers) who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

The UN General Assembly established the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in 2002 and selected 29 May for its annual observance.

This date was chosen because, on 29 May 1948, the Security Council launched its first UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East- the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).

Global Contribution of Indian Peacekeepers

India has been one of the most significant contributors to UN peacekeeping efforts.

At present, more than 4,200 Indian military and police personnel, including 155 women peacekeepers, are serving in various UN missions around the world.

Indian peacekeepers are currently deployed in: Abyei, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.

India is currently the second-largest contributor of personnel to UN peacekeeping missions. Around 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice while on duty, which is the highest number among all troop-contributing countries.

Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is one of the highest honors awarded by the United Nations. The medal was established on 22 July 2000 through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1321.

It is named after former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and is awarded posthumously to military, police, and civilian personnel who lose their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping operations.

In a statement, the UN said that the organization will observe the day at UN Headquarters in New York City on 5 June 2026, where the Secretary-General will lay a wreath in tribute to the men and women who served in UN peacekeeping and sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace.

Guterres will preside over the ceremony, during which 68 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers will be posthumously honored with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.