United Nations (UN) has posthumously awarded ‘Dag Hammarskjöld Medal’ to 12 Bangladeshi peacekeepers as it observed ‘International Day of the UN Peacekeepers’ on Friday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gave the awards to 119 fallen peacekeepers from 27 member states of UN, who lost their lives during duty in 2018 in various parts of the world to ensure global peace under the UN Peace Operations, according to a press release of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations.

The fallen peacekeepers of Bangladesh who posthumously received the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals are: Sainik Arzan Howlader and Sainik Md Ripul Miah who served with UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA); Sainik Mohammad Jamal Uddin, Warrant officer Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, Sainik Mohammad Rayhan Ali, Lance Corporal Mohammad Akter Hossain, and Sainik Mohammad Rasheduzzaman who served with United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA); Sainik Md Zane Alam who served with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); Sainik Md Motiar Rahman, Sainik Md Monjur Ali, Lance Corporal Md Mizanur Rahaman and Lieutenant Commander Md Ashraf Siddiqui who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General said, “Today, we honour 119 brave men and women who lost their lives while serving the United Nations. Hailing from different backgrounds, our fallen heroes were united in their efforts to help the UN attain its most important objective – to save future generations from the scourge of war. The medal we posthumously honour them which bears the name of Secretary-General Hammarskjold. It is inscribed with his name as well as their own – forever linking them in our hearts and in our memories”.

The Secretary-General also offered his highest tribute to the fallen peacekeeper and put his sincere condolence to their loved ones left behind.

Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Masud Bin Momen received the medals on behalf of Bangladesh. Defence Advisor of this Mission Brigadier-General Khan Firoz Ahmed, relevant other officers from the Mission and officers from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Police working at the UN Headquarters were also present, as per the press release.

The Permanent Mission will make special arrangements to send the medals to the family members of the 12 fallen peacekeepers of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is the second largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping and so far, 146 peacekeepers from Bangladesh have lost their lives on duty while serving UN Peace Operations in various parts of the world, the press release read.