The United Nations will posthumously honour two Indian peacekeepers on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Friday for making the ultimate sacrifice while serving in UN missions.
Dag Hammarskjöld Medal for Fallen Indian Personnel
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will award the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh, who served with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, who was deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Major Abhilasha Barak to Receive Gender Advocate Award
Guterres will also present the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Major Abhilasha Barak for her contributions to women’s empowerment and gender sensitisation during her deployment with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
First Woman Combat Helicopter Pilot Recognised
Major Barak, widely recognised as the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army, is currently serving in Lebanon as commander of the Female Engagement Team under UNIFIL.
Third Indian Recipient of Prestigious Honour
Major Barak becomes the third Indian recipient of the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, following Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen, who were previously recognised for their service in UN peacekeeping missions.
India Records Highest Peacekeeper Sacrifice Toll
Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag, the highest number among all troop-contributing countries.
India Remains a Major Contributor to UN Missions
India is currently the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, with more than 4,200 military and police personnel, including 155 women, serving across missions in Abyei, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan and Western Sahara.
Over 50,000 Peacekeepers Serving Worldwide
More than 50,000 civilian, military and police personnel are currently deployed in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, operating in some of the world’s most challenging and complex environments.
