Why in the News?
- For the first time, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi paid homage at the National War Memorial to soldiers who died during Operation Pawan (1987–1990).
- Event held on 25 November 2025.
What was Operation Pawan?
- A major military operation launched by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka.
- Objective: Disarm the LTTE under the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord (1987).
- Duration: October 1987 – 1990.
Background
- Under the Indo–Sri Lanka Peace Accord (July 1987):
- India agreed to deploy IPKF to enforce peace in Northern & Eastern Sri Lanka.
- The LTTE initially agreed to surrender weapons but soon reneged.
Casualties in Operation
- Hundreds of Indian soldiers killed, and over 1,000 injured.
- One of India’s largest overseas military operations.
National War Memorial
- Location: New Delhi, near India Gate.
- Dedicated to soldiers of post-Independence operations including:
- 1947–48, 1962, 1965, 1971 wars
- Kargil 1999
- IPKF operations, and counter-insurgency missions.
Importance of the IPKF Mission
- First large-scale out-of-country deployment of Indian forces.
- Political and military complexities:
- Fighting LTTE, once seen sympathetically by India.
- Hostile terrain and guerrilla warfare challenges.
| Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called: (2024)
(a) Operation Sankalp (b) Operation Maitri (c) Operation Sadbhavana (d) Operation Madad This question is highly relevant as it tests the specific format of knowledge required for Operation Pawan (the name and mission of a defence action). |
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