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IPKF Soldiers Killed in 'Operation Pawan' Remembered at Palaly


Soldiers of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) who paid the supreme sacrifice during their mission in Sri Lanka between July 1987 - March 1990 were remembered at a brief, but solemn ceremony on June 5 2015 at the newly-erected IPKF monument in Palaly.

The programme commenced with the arrival of Mr. A. Natarajan, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Chief Guest of the day’s ceremony. A brief introduction to the history of the event followed a two-minute silence in honour of the fallen heroes. Later, Mr. A. Natarajan, General Officer Commanding 51 Division Brigadier S. K. Thirunaukarisu and Defence Advisor for Indian High Commission in Colombo Captain Prakash Gopalan paid floral tributes to the monument.

During the ‘Operation Pawan’ conducted by the IPKF, LTTE terrorists opened indiscriminate fire at soldiers of the 10 Indian Para Regiment in the midnight of 12 October 1987 half way before their heli - landing at the Jaffna University premises, the Tactical Headquarters of the LTTE, blatantly violating the 1949 Geneva Convention.
   
The IPKF memorial at Palaly remembers 33 Indian soldiers including Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kumar Chhabra who laid their lives for the sake of territorial integrity of their friendly neighbouring country.