Two Indian Peacekeepers Awarded Dag Hammarskjöld Medal
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DH
Context: Two Indian peacekeepers Brigadier General Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh will be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
About Two Indian Peacekeepers Awarded Dag Hammarskjöld Medal:
About India and UN Peacekeepers:
• India’s Global Role: India is the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping, with over 5,300 Indian troops serving in missions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Honoured Peacekeepers 2025: Brig. Gen. Amitabh Jha served under UNDOF (Golan Heights). Hav. Sanjay Singh served under MONUSCO (Congo). Both will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal for laying down their lives in the pursuit of global peace.
• Brig. Gen. Amitabh Jha served under UNDOF (Golan Heights).
• Hav. Sanjay Singh served under MONUSCO (Congo).
• Both will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal for laying down their lives in the pursuit of global peace.
• Legacy of Recognition: In 2023, Major Radhika Sen was honoured as the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year.
• Cumulative Contribution: Since 1948, more than 179 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice — the highest among all UN member states.
About UN Peacekeepers:
• Established In: 1948, with the first mission in the Middle East (UNTSO).
• Coordinated By: Department of Peace Operations (DPO) under the UN Secretariat.
• Personnel Involved: Currently, 68,000+ military, police, and civilian personnel from 125 countries serve in 11 active UN missions.
• Key Objectives: Conflict Management: Monitor ceasefires and support peace agreements in volatile regions. Civilian Protection: Safeguard at-risk populations, particularly in conflict zones. Rule of Law & Institution Building: Assist with elections, judicial systems, and public institutions. Disarmament and Reintegration: Help ex-combatants reintegrate into civilian life through DDR programmes. Humanitarian Assistance: Support humanitarian agencies and aid delivery in post-conflict recovery.
• Conflict Management: Monitor ceasefires and support peace agreements in volatile regions.
• Civilian Protection: Safeguard at-risk populations, particularly in conflict zones.
• Rule of Law & Institution Building: Assist with elections, judicial systems, and public institutions.
• Disarmament and Reintegration: Help ex-combatants reintegrate into civilian life through DDR programmes.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Support humanitarian agencies and aid delivery in post-conflict recovery.
• Legal Mandate: Operates under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, empowered by the UN Security Council.
• Instruments of Peace: Peacekeepers are often called Blue Helmets and represent military, police, and civilian roles in missions authorized by the UN.