The United Nations will posthumously award the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to two Indian peacekeepers, Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, in a solemn ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York today. The tribute coincides with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a global observance honoring the more than 4,300 UN peacekeepers who have laid down their lives in service since 1948.
Brigadier Amitabh Jha served with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, playing a pivotal role in monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Deployed in a sensitive zone along the Purple Line, Jha was instrumental in maintaining stability in an area historically marred by conflict since the Yom Kippur War. His contributions became even more significant following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024 and the subsequent Israeli military actions in the buffer zone.
Havildar Sanjay Singh was part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), one of the most complex and high-risk peacekeeping operations globally. Tasked with supporting the Congolese government in stabilizing the conflict-ridden regions, Singh’s efforts were part of India’s broader role in MONUSCO, which has faced persistent violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
The award ceremony, scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET, will follow a wreath-laying ceremony at the Peacekeepers Memorial Site led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at 2:45 p.m. ET. This year’s theme, “The Future of Peacekeeping,” highlights the evolution and continued relevance of UN missions in places like Liberia, Cambodia, and Sierra Leone, while paying tribute to those who have given their lives in pursuit of global peace.
India remains one of the largest and most consistent contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. Its forces, represented by the emblem of crossed swords beneath the Ashoka Pillar and the motto “Satyameva Jayate,” have a longstanding record of commitment and courage in international peace efforts. Brigadier Jha and Havildar Singh now join the ranks of Indian heroes like Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh, who was similarly honored in 2024 for his service with MONUSCO.
The sacrifices of these soldiers underscore the human cost of global peacekeeping and reflect the United Nations’ foundational mission to prevent future generations from suffering the devastation of war. Their legacy will serve as a testament to India’s enduring role in upholding peace and security across the world’s most volatile regions.
