The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on 29 May, honouring the service and sacrifice of UN personnel deployed in conflict zones across the world.
The day marks the deployment of the first group of UN peacekeepers in 1948, when they were sent to the Middle East to monitor and separate warring parties during the Arab-Israeli conflict. Since then, UN peacekeeping missions have played a key role in conflict management across several regions, including West Asia, where ongoing instability continues to affect populations globally, including India.
The observance also pays tribute to peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In 1998, the United Nations instituted the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal as a tribute to personnel who die while serving in UN peacekeeping operations under UN command and authority. The first medal was awarded posthumously to the family of Dag Hammarskjöld, the UN Secretary-General who was killed in 1961 while attempting to broker peace in the Congo.
Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh was part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), known for being one of the UN’s most extensive and demanding peacekeeping efforts.Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), where he worked to maintain stability and protect civilians in the war-torn region.
In 2026, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal were honoured posthumously to L/Hav Harbhajan Singh, who sacrificed his life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 20 February 2025, and Nb Sub Sujit Kumar Pradhan, who lost his life in South Sudan on 13 September 2025.
The United Nations has also instituted the “Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award” since 2016 to recognise efforts in promoting gender perspectives in peacekeeping operations. India has been a notable contributor to this initiative, with three Indian Army officers receiving the honour so far — Major Suman Gawani (South Sudan, 2019), Major Radhika Sen (DR Congo, 2023), and Major Abhilasha Barak (Lebanon, 2024).
All three officers have served in high-risk peacekeeping environments, where the protection of civilians—particularly women and children—remains a central priority of UN missions.
The United Nations announced that these soldiers would be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal in the coming week. This recognition highlights their courage and commitment to international peace and security.
India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping and has a storied history of service under the UN banner. Indian peacekeepers are known for their professionalism and courage, having operated in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones.The posthumous honor for Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan is a testament to the enduring legacy of Indian peacekeepers and their steadfast dedication to promoting peace beyond national borders.
