News- For the first time, the Army Chief honoured Operation Pawan martyrs at the National War Memorial in Delhi.
About Operation Pawan
Operation Pawan was an Indian military campaign, carried out by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987, in Sri Lanka against Tamil militant group- the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Aim of the Operation- Its aim was to take control take control of Jaffna from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It also aimed to disarm Tamil militant groups, like the LTTE, quell the civil war, and restore peace.
Launched by- It was launched by the Rajiv Gandhi government under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 29 July 1987.
Duration of the Operation- It ran from October 1987 to 24 March 1990, ending with the withdrawal of the IPKF.
Success and criticism of the Operation- IPKF was successful in taking control of the Jaffna Peninsula from the LTTE after a two-week-long war. Though it achieved its stated objectives, the operation is often criticised. It does not receive “formal” commemoration at the National War Memorial, Delhi. However, Sri Lanka has built a memorial for it.
About Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF)
- Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990.
- It was formed under the mandate of the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan Accord that aimed to end the Sri Lankan Civil War between Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan military.
- The IPKF received numerous gallantry medals- which includes the Param Vir Chakra for Maj. Parameswaran, and 98 Vir Chakras.
| Indo-Sri Lanka Accord 1987 It was signed in Colombo on 29 July 1987 by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayawardene to resolve Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict. |
Source- TH
