As the world commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 29, two brave Indian soldiers, Brigadier General Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, will be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal—one of the UN’s highest honors for fallen peacekeepers.

🇮🇳 India's Bravehearts Remembered on Global Stage

1. Brigadier General Amitabh Jha – A Leader in the Golan Heights

Brigadier Jha served as Deputy Force Commander of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, a tense buffer zone between Syria and Israel. He joined the mission in April 2023 and passed away on December 24, 2024, while still in active service.

• A highly decorated infantry officer, he had previously commanded troops in glaciated mountainous terrains of India.

• His previous UN peacekeeping experience includes a stint as a military observer in Congo (MONUSCO) between 2005–2006.

• A scholar-soldier, Jha was deeply interested in military diplomacy, geopolitics, and sub-conventional warfare, and was also a passionate trekker and sports enthusiast.

2. Havildar Sanjay Singh – Devoted to Duty in Congo

Havildar Singh hailed from Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, and served with the 11 Garhwal Rifles. He was deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO).

• On July 10, 2024, during his peacekeeping duties, Singh’s health suddenly deteriorated and he later died during treatment.

• His sacrifice is emblematic of the silent heroism of Indian troops posted in some of the world's most dangerous and remote conflict zones.

🌍 India: A Pillar of Global Peacekeeping

• India ranks 4th among countries contributing personnel to UN peacekeeping missions.

• Over 5,300 Indian military and police personnel are currently deployed in regions including Lebanon, South Sudan, Congo, Western Sahara, Abyei, and Somalia.

• Since 1948, more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

At the ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will lay a wreath in honor of the fallen and present medals to the families of 57 peacekeepers who lost their lives in 2024, including India’s Jha and Singh.

🕊️ A Legacy of Valor and Service

This international recognition is not just a tribute to Brigadier Jha and Havildar Singh, but also a reminder of India’s deep and enduring commitment to peacekeeping around the world.

Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering sense of duty will remain etched in the memory of a grateful nation—and serve as a beacon of service to peace in conflict-ridden regions.