Army To Officially Honour Operation Pawan Martyrs After 38 Years

The Indian Army will, for the first time, formally commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Pawan, the country’s first major overseas military mission after Independence. Conducted in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990, the operation resulted in 1,171 personnel killed and more than 3,500 injured, marking one of the heaviest wartime losses in India’s modern military history.

The Operation And Its Objectives

Operation Pawan began in 1987 when the Indian Peace Keeping Force was deployed to Sri Lanka to curb escalating violence during the Tamil–Sinhala conflict. The mission aimed to disarm militant groups, including the LTTE, under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. However, the LTTE rejected the agreement, leading to intense combat in difficult forested terrain. Many soldiers lost their lives in ambushes, close-quarter battles and surprise attacks.

Heavy Losses And Notable Sacrifices

The magnitude of casualties made the operation one of the most challenging India ever undertook abroad. Among the martyrs was Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran, awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for exceptional bravery during an encounter on 25 November 1987. Numerous units across the armed forces faced sustained hostilities, often without the chance to recover the bodies of fallen comrades.

Decades Without Official Remembrance

Despite the scale of sacrifice, India never observed an official remembrance day for Operation Pawan. Former soldiers, widows and families privately gathered each year at memorials to honour the fallen, with no institutional ceremony. In contrast, Sri Lanka constructed an IPKF memorial in Colombo, acknowledging the mission’s significance.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Operation Pawan was conducted from 1987 to 1990 by the Indian Peace Keeping Force.
• A total of 1,171 Indian soldiers were killed in the operation.
• Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran received the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his actions in 1987.
• This is the first year the Indian Army is officially honouring Operation Pawan martyrs.

A Historic Tribute At The National War Memorial

On 26 November, the Army Chief and senior leadership will lay wreaths at the National War Memorial in recognition of the personnel who served in the operation. Veterans of Operation Pawan and families of the martyrs will attend the ceremony, which is seen as long-overdue acknowledgment of their sacrifices. The tribute marks a significant moment in bringing national recognition to a mission that tested the resilience and commitment of the Indian armed forces.