Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Army Honors Operation Pawan Martyrs After 35 Years
The Indian Army recently paid its first official tribute to the soldiers who died in Operation Pawan, which happened a long time ago in Sri Lanka.
This operation was to keep the peace, but it turned into a big fight.
Many soldiers lost their lives, and until now, there was no official ceremony to honor them.
The Army Chief and other important people laid wreaths to remember these brave soldiers.
The operation started in 1987 and ended in 1990, and it was a very tough battle.
The Indian government and the Sri Lankan government had made an agreement to bring peace, but one of the groups, the LTTE, did not agree and kept fighting.
The Indian soldiers had to fight them to keep the peace, and many soldiers were hurt or died.
Now, after 35 years, the Indian Army is finally honoring their sacrifice.
The Indian Army paid its first official tribute to the 1,171 soldiers who died in Operation Pawan, 35 years after the operation.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led the wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial.
Operation Pawan was launched in 1987 to maintain peace in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, but turned into a battle against the LTTE.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh honored Major R Parameshwaran, the only Param Vir Chakra awardee from Operation Pawan.
The operation formally ended in 1990, but until now, there was no official commemoration at the National War Memorial.
- Who
- Indian Army, Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF)
- What
- First official tribute to Operation Pawan martyrs
- When
- 2023 (35 years after the operation)
- Where
- National War Memorial, India
- Why
- To honor the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka
- Operation Name
- Operation Pawan
- Date of Operation
- 30th July 1987 to 24th March 1990
- Location
- Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- Casualties
- 1,171 martyred, over 3,500 wounded
- First Official Tribute
- 2023
- Param Vir Chakra Awardee
- Major R Parameshwaran
