IPKF soldiers in Sri Lanka in the ’80sIPKF soldiers in Sri Lanka in the ’80sIPKF soldiers in Sri Lanka in the ’80s12 NEW DELHI: In a move that will assuage veterans of Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in the late-1980s, the Army chief will pay homage at National War Memorial on Tuesday to honour the sacrifice of Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran and other soldiers during Operation Pawan.This will be the first official memorial in India of this scale for military personnel who laid down their lives during the operation. NWM doesn’t have any plaque recognising the sacrifice of the army during the tough operation.Gen Upendra Dwivedi and vice chief Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh will lay wreaths at NWM to honour the 1,171 Indian soldiers who died – another 3,500 were wounded – during Operation Pawan.It was India’s first large-scale overseas military operation that began in October 1987 to bring peace by disarming Tamil militant groups like LTTE, but ended on a bitter note with the Sri Lankan govt demanding IPKF’s withdrawal in early-1990.IPKF veterans have for a long time been demanding official designation of a day to remember Operation Pawan on the lines of commemoration of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the 1999 Kargil conflict. IPKF received numerous gallantry medals – which included the PVC for Maj Parameswaran, who died on Nov 25 in 1987 – and 98 Vir Chakras.”While Sri Lanka built a memorial for IPKF in Colombo, there has been no formal day of commemoration in India so far to honour those soldiers. A group of IPKF veterans, widows and families quietly gather at the NWM every year to pay homage, but they are essentially private ceremonies,” an IPKF veteran said.Army vice chief Lt-Gen Singh, who was commissioned into 4 Para-Special Forces in Dec 1987, incidentally was seriously injured as a young second-lieutenant in a firefight between his unit deployed under IPKF and LTTE in July 1989.”The gesture reflects the Army’s collective respect for the bravehearts and reinforces the enduring bond between serving personnel, veterans and families of the fallen, united in remembering those who gave their today for the nation’s tomorrow,” an officer said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpectacular Tribute: 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Marked with Light-&-Sound ShowSecond Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th Martyrdom Tribute Marked with Devotion in Punjab“Indian market offers smooth trade opportunities,” says ASSOCHAM Secretary‘Why? Why? Why?’ Mamata Slams EC, Flags ‘Unusual & Alarming’ Moves Ahead of Bengal Polls’Doesn’t Deserve LoP Post’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For Missing CJI Surya Kant’s Oath CeremonyAs Pakistan Halts Afghan Transit, Kabul Boosts India Partnership And Fast-Tracks The Chabahar RouteIndia’s Soft Power Rises As Jaishankar Expands Global Gita Mahotsav, Kurukshetra Festival OutreachPunjab: Anandpur Sahib Hosts 3-Day Tribute on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th Martyrdom Year’They Said Arunachal Is China’: Indian Woman Alleges Harassment After Passport Rejection In ShanghaiRajnath Says India Followed Krishna’s Message In Operation Sindoor After Pakistan Misread Decency123PhotostoriesExpert-approved 4 foods you should never eat on an empty stomachHow to make Paneer stuffed Beetroot Paratha for breakfastHow 1 cup of this drink before bed can help burn belly fat in 30 days and how one can make it at homeDharmendra’s demise: From Krushna Abhishek, Karan Kundrra to Ankita Lokhande; TV celebs pay an emotional tribute to the legendary actorStruggling with fatty liver? 5 Ayurveda-approved food habits to improve liver healthSpeculation to confirmation: Sonam Kapoor’s second pregnancy becomes a masterclass in maternity fashionDisha Patani to Ananya Panday: The most talked-about fashion moments of the dayPlanning 2026 travels? 10 trending destinations in pictures to inspire youThanksgiving side dishes: 5 easy recipes to try this yearA legend lives on: Nostalgic images of Dharmendra, the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeChennai rainGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingNew Labour LawsIslam MakhachevCola Social Security PaymentsBrittany MahomesCanada Citizenship ActDelhi ProtestSmriti Mandhana WeddingJack HughesRama Raju MantenaFortnite Chapter 7 Leaked
NEW DELHI: In a move that will assuage veterans of Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in the late-1980s, the Army chief will pay homage at National War Memorial on Tuesday to honour the sacrifice of Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran and other soldiers during Operation Pawan.This will be the first official memorial in India of this scale for military personnel who laid down their lives during the operation. NWM doesn’t have any plaque recognising the sacrifice of the army during the tough operation.Gen Upendra Dwivedi and vice chief Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh will lay wreaths at NWM to honour the 1,171 Indian soldiers who died – another 3,500 were wounded – during Operation Pawan.It was India’s first large-scale overseas military operation that began in October 1987 to bring peace by disarming Tamil militant groups like LTTE, but ended on a bitter note with the Sri Lankan govt demanding IPKF’s withdrawal in early-1990.IPKF veterans have for a long time been demanding official designation of a day to remember Operation Pawan on the lines of commemoration of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the 1999 Kargil conflict. IPKF received numerous gallantry medals – which included the PVC for Maj Parameswaran, who died on Nov 25 in 1987 – and 98 Vir Chakras.“While Sri Lanka built a memorial for IPKF in Colombo, there has been no formal day of commemoration in India so far to honour those soldiers. A group of IPKF veterans, widows and families quietly gather at the NWM every year to pay homage, but they are essentially private ceremonies,” an IPKF veteran said.Army vice chief Lt-Gen Singh, who was commissioned into 4 Para-Special Forces in Dec 1987, incidentally was seriously injured as a young second-lieutenant in a firefight between his unit deployed under IPKF and LTTE in July 1989.“The gesture reflects the Army’s collective respect for the bravehearts and reinforces the enduring bond between serving personnel, veterans and families of the fallen, united in remembering those who gave their today for the nation’s tomorrow,” an officer said.
