Wed Mar 26 20:49:00 UTC 2025: ## Unsung Heroes of Operation Pawan Remembered in Solemn Ceremony
**New Delhi, March 27, 2025** – Over a hundred Indian veterans, war widows (Veer Naris), and next of kin gathered at the National War Memorial (NWM) on March 24th to commemorate the soldiers who served in Operation Pawan, India’s first large-scale overseas military operation in Sri Lanka. The ceremony, while privately organized by veterans, highlighted the ongoing struggle for official recognition of this often-overlooked conflict.
Operation Pawan, a peacekeeping mission from 1987 to 1990, resulted in the deaths of 1,166 Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) personnel. Despite the significant loss of life and the operation’s historical importance, it lacks the official commemoration afforded to other conflicts like the 1971 liberation war and the 1999 Kargil conflict.
Veterans have repeatedly petitioned for official recognition, including the designation of a specific day of remembrance. However, a tri-service committee rejected these requests in October 2024, maintaining the status quo. This year’s wreath-laying ceremony, the fifth annual private event, was described as “silent,” lacking the customary bugler’s call.
Col. B.R. Nair, an IPKF veteran, emphasized the significance of the gathering, bringing together decorated officers and families of fallen heroes. He criticized the Army Headquarters for consistently denying a more formal, dignified commemoration, citing vague government policy.
The Indian Ex-Services League (IESL), a recognized veterans’ organization, echoed these concerns in a letter to the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs. Brigadier Inder Mohan Singh (Retd.), IESL President, highlighted the disparity between the commemoration of victories and defeats, arguing that the sacrifices of Operation Pawan, alongside those of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, remain largely forgotten due to political sensitivities surrounding Tamil aspirations and the perceived political expediency behind the Sri Lankan operation. He advocated for establishing memorials to better acknowledge the sacrifices made.
Veterans argue that the lessons learned from Operation Pawan’s intense jungle and urban warfare remain crucial as India modernizes its military. The absence of official recognition, they contend, diminishes the historical significance of this pivotal operation and the sacrifices of the soldiers involved. While officials note that the names of all fallen soldiers, including those from Operation Pawan, are inscribed at the NWM, the lack of a dedicated commemoration continues to fuel calls for greater acknowledgment of their service.
First Piper 