The 8th edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral Indo–French air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF), concluded at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France, on 27 November 2025. The IAF contingent returned to India on 02 December 2025 after the successful culmination of the exercise.

During the exercise, the IAF participated with Su-30MKI fighters, supported by IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and both air forces conducted a range of complex air operations in a realistic operational environment. The training involved joint mission planning, coordinated execution of strike and escort missions and familiarisation with each other’s operational procedures, thereby enhancing interoperability. The IAF maintenance crew ensured high serviceability throughout, enabling smooth conduct of all planned missions. Senior officials from both nations interacted with the participants during the closing ceremony, commending the professionalism, discipline, and commitment displayed by both participating forces.

Exercise Garuda 25 was one of the largest international air training engagements undertaken by the IAF this year. The exercise reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between India and France and provided valuable operational insights to the participating forces. The lessons learnt will further enhance the IAF’s war-fighting capabilities and strengthen jointmanship with friendly foreign air forces.

The Indian Army has commissioned the first-of-its-kind underground fuel, oil and lubricant (FOL) storage facilities in the Kargil Sector, marking a major advancement towards strengthening logistics infrastructure in high-altitude areas.

Titled Project Sena Sarthi, it consists of newly constructed storage tanks that will double the fuel-holding capacity, ensuring sustained operational preparedness for troops deployed in one of the most challenging terrains and climatic conditions in the country. It has been executed in collaboration with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Storage and logistics for FOL products at high-altitude areas like Ladakh and the north-east, where vehicles and fuel-powered equipment like generators are deployed at heights up to 20,000 feet, poses significant challenges for the Indian Army because of extreme temperatures, inclement weather and hostile terrain.

Sub-zero temperatures not only affect the physical and chemical properties and combustibility of FOL products, but also require special storage and handling facilities. Bulk of the Army’s fuel requirements are transported by road. Since areas like Kargil and Ladakh remain cut-off from the rest of the country during winters, adequate stocking has to be done for this period.

The problems have been mitigated to some extent by the use of diesel and lubricants specially developed by DRDO for high altitude, use of additives and blends in FOL and building insulated or heated underground storage facilities, but these add to the costs and maintenance efforts.

Transportation and storage of FOL in forward areas is done in 200-liter barrels made of mild steel. According to the Compendium of Problem Definition Statements released by the Army earlier this year, the existing barrels, though robust, are prone to rusting, heavy and cumbersome to handle. In addition, they take up a large storage space even when empty.

“The greatest challenge is storage of main grade fuels in high altitude areas and mountainous terrain where existing barrels cannot be transported through heli-lift. There is a need to develop a customised alternate solution for Indian Army in form of new generation fuel barrels to enable ease of transportation, handling and portability of fuel in pack storage, especially in remote locations and high altitude areas,” the document states.

Pointing out that countries like the US and UK are using fuel drums specially designed for ease of portability and heli-lifting as under slung load, the Army has projected a requirement to the industry for robust, lightweight, portable and foldable or collapsible fuel drums which occupy less space when empty, withstand drops from higher levels and withstand extreme temperature from minus 45 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius.

100 indigenous apps, UAV jammers to anchor forces’ digital overhaul

The Army has embraced artificial intelligence as part of its wider transformation to become a future-ready, data-driven force underpinned by automation and digitisation. The initiative, termed ‘boots to bytes’, draws from the long-held dictum of having soldiers on the frontline, or ‘boots on the ground’, and juxtaposes this with the new need for ‘terabytes’ of data to empower the soldier.

The transformation is built on three pillars — digitisation, automation and AI. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on November 28 released the plan, formally titled ‘Digitisation-3’.

The plan documents 100 applications organised under two themes. One of these, called ‘Digital Sena’, highlights 40 cutting-edge digitisation and automation initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and logistics.

Among the key technologies being integrated is a UAV tethered to the ground, equipped with an electronic system capable of jamming enemy drones. Other major developments include an indigenous geographic information system (GIS) that leverages spatial data and advanced analytics to improve decision-making, planning and operational effectiveness. By integrating various data sources, it provides commanders with a common operating picture of the battlefield, terrain and logistics.

To become an AI-ready force, the Army is developing 60 AI-driven solutions, such as an indigenous ‘small language model’, and will deploy software using AI-as-a-Service. These tools underline how AI is transforming operations, surveillance, decision support and autonomous systems for faster cognition and superior battlefield decision-making.

A flagship project named ‘Ekam’ has also been designed to deliver indigenous, secure, military-specific AI solutions tailored to operational doctrines and classified datasets. These include state-of-the-art AI services such as document analysis, a military correspondence generator and translation tools. Phase II of ‘Ekam’ focuses on building the first indigenous large language model (LLM) for the Indian Army.

As part of its future technologies drive, the Army has also developed a ‘climatology’ application created through scientific collaboration. The system integrates more than 20 years of geospatial data drawn from over 35 parameters to deliver precise landslide and avalanche predictions.

n a significant academic-defence collaboration, the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College, Army, Meerut Cantonment, had recently invited Randhir Singh, scientist at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, to deliver an expert lecture on “Early Prediction of Military Working Dog Success: Integrating Wearables, Behaviour and Biomarkers”.

Singh provided an insightful and futuristic overview of emerging evaluation tools for military working dogs. His talk covered behavioural scoring systems, activity-monitoring sensors, hormonal stress markers, cytokine profiling and predictive disease analytics powered by machine learning. The presentation, which highlighted the potential of early-life assessment, received exceptional engagement and appreciation from RVC officers.

Emphasizing proactive health screening, Singh discussed the importance of early detection of pancreatitis, renal diseases, hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. He underscored how scientific monitoring could extend working lifespans, improve training efficiency and enhance the mission readiness of canine soldiers.

He delivered a detailed lecture on dialysis indications, designing an effective workflow, and real-time decision-making in critical care.

So far, the BrahMos missile system remains the most notable joint venture between the long-standing partners

India, Russia reorient defence ties towards co-development, co-production

So far, the BrahMos missile system remains the most notable joint venture between the long-standing partners

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Updated At : 02:16 AM Dec 06, 2025 IST

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PM Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin . PTI

Six-decade-old India-Russia military ties were today “re-oriented” to make co-development and co-production of advanced technology the new benchmark for promoting ‘Make in India’.

A joint statement, released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their annual summit here, said “responding to India’s quest for self-reliance, the partnership is reorienting to joint research and development, co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems”.

The shift towards “co-development” and “co-production” marks a paradigm change for several future platforms such as next-generation fighter jets, aero-engines, marine engines, radars and missiles that the Indian armed forces may require. Russia currently holds advanced technologies, including the S-400 air defence system and the fifth-generation Sukhoi-57 fighter jet.

So far, the BrahMos missile system remains the most notable joint venture between the long-standing partners. However, the missile was originally designed and developed in the erstwhile Soviet Union as the Yakhont before being adopted as BrahMos and further upgraded.

About a decade ago, India walked out of a joint project to co-design and co-develop a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Two years ago, Russia launched a joint venture to produce AK-203 rifles in India, though the rifle itself was designed and developed in Russia.

Other platforms such as the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, T-90 tanks and MiG-21s are produced under licence in India, but their design and critical metallurgy remain with Moscow.

At the Modi-Putin talks, the two countries also expanded military cooperation and agreed to address the long-standing issue of sourcing spare parts for Russian-origin equipment. The two sides will now undertake joint manufacturing of spares in India.

“Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment,” the joint statement said.

This will fall under the Make in India programme through transfer of technology and the setting up of joint ventures to meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces, with the possibility of exports to mutually friendly third countries, it added.

Modi and Putin also welcomed the outcomes of the 22nd session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC).

India and Russia have strengthened their longstanding partnership with the signing of a comprehensive agreement covering cooperation in healthcare, medical education, space, science and environmental sectors.

Emphasising the importance of joint research in science, technology and innovation, the two sides called for deeper collaboration under the “Roadmap for Science, Technology & Innovation Cooperation”.

“They agreed to facilitate collaboration between government and private sectors to harness opportunities for startups and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in both countries to address societal challenges through innovative technologies, including joint R&D and co-development of technologies. They confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation in digital technologies, including those related to information protection, security of critical infrastructure and law enforcement. Both sides agreed to design and implement soft support programmes for startups to enable knowledge exchange, capacity-building and greater engagement of innovators and entrepreneurs,” a joint statement released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their annual leaders’ summit here said.

Recognising the extensive experience of collaboration between India and Russia in science and higher education, both sides expressed interest in deepening partnerships between educational and research institutions, including academic mobility, joint educational programmes, research projects and specialised international exhibitions, conferences and seminars.

The countries welcomed the expanded partnership between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Russia’s Roscosmos in the peaceful use of outer space, including human spaceflight programmes, satellite navigation and planetary exploration.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh and Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari today laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial, New Delhi on the occasion of Navy Day.

Both sides reiterate that India-Russia ties are based on a deep sense of trust, common principles & mutual respect

Shri Rajnath Singh stresses on new opportunities to enhance collaboration across niche technologies

Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in defence production, says Mr Andrei Belousov

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of Russia Mr Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on December 04, 2025. Both sides reiterated that the India-Russia relationship is based on a deep sense of trust, common principles and mutual respect. This meeting precedes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Russia Mr Vladimir Putin.

Shri Rajnath Singh voiced the Government of India’s determination for capacity building of its indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports, under the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. He also stressed on new opportunities for enhancing collaboration between both counties across niche technologies.

The Russian Defence Minister emphasised on deepening relationship between both the countries which is based on mutual trust. He highlighted that both countries are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation. He stated that the Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in the field of defence production. Minister Belousov also invited Shri Rajnath Singh to visit Russia to co-chair the 23rd session of IRIC-M&MTC in 2026.

At the end, the two Ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC meeting highlighting the ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation.

Prior to the meeting, Raksha Mantri and the Russian Defence Minister laid the wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid respect to the Indian bravery who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. The visiting dignitary also inspected the Ceremonial Tri-service Guard of Honour.

Col SS Rajan, The Bombay Sappers

1.             Bharathvarsh is a Punya Bhoomi, a sacred land, endowed with a number of holy
rivers and Theertha Kheshtras, ie pilgrimage centres, for people of all faiths.
Bharathvarsh has been home to a number of Sages, Saints, Gurus & Tapasvins born at
different periods of time and places to guide mankind on the path of Dharma.
Guru Nana Devji
2.            One such enlightened Soul was Guru Nanak Devji, born on 15 April 1469 at
Nankana Sahib, present day Pakistan. Guru Nanak Devji preached love, brotherhood &
compassion. He believed in Oneness of the Lord Almighty and Oneness of Man and asked
his followers to eschew bigotry by shunning differences on account of caste, creed &
religion. Guru Nanak Devji was an embodiment of piety & virtue and dedicated his life for
promoting Ekta & Sadhbhavana amongst the people.
Guru Teg Bahadurji
3.          With the passing away of Guru Nanak Devji, there followed nine more Gurus of
great piety & reverence who tread the hallowed path of Guru Nanak Devji. The Mughals
had gained ascendance and the Delhi Darbar was being ruled by the despicable Auranzeb
at the time of Guru Teg Bahadurji, the ninth Guru. Aurangzeb had let loose a reign of
terror and was hell bent on converting the Hindu populace to Islam by coercion; and if that
failed, then by the sword. Unable to withstand the tyranny of Aurangzeb, the Hindus led
by the Brahmins sought refuge and protection of Guru Teg Bahadurji, the ninth Guru. This
infuriated Aurangzeb and he ordered that Guru Teg Bahadurji be brought to Delhi and be
forcibly converted to Islam.  When Guru Teg Bahadurji was chained and brought to Delhi,
he was commanded to convert to Islam, failing which he would be put to death by the
sword. And when Guru Teg Bahadurji refused to eat Beef as a token of conversion to
Islam, the pious Guru was beheaded at Delhi on 24 November 1675, at the place where Sis
Ganj Gurudwara, today stands. Not being content with beheading Guru Teg Bahadurji, the
cruel Aurangzeb had the pious followers of the Guru roasted in raging fire and fried in
cauldrons of boiling oil. So much for Islam; the religion of peace, mercy & compassion. May
Allah be praised.

4.            When Guru Teg Bahadurji was put to the sword, his son, the young Gobind Rai, only
nine years of age, queried, “Was there none to stand up to fight the Mughal zulum when
Guru Teg Bahadurji was put to the sword?” Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect
the Honour of the Hindus, viz. their Janeoo (sacred thread worn mainly by the Brahmins)
and their Tilak (sindoor worn by womenfolk of Hindus).
Guru Gobind Singhji
5.            Gobind Rai, son of Guru Teg Bahadurji, was formally anointed as Guru Gobind Rai,
the tenth Guru, on Baisakhi, 1676.
6.            Come Baisaki, 13 April 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. It was on the auspicious
day of Baisaki, 13 April 1699 that, Guru Gobind Rai the tenth Guru, founded the Khalsa
Panth, an Army, calling its brave soldiers as Sikhs, the Lion hearted, the sword arm of
the Hindus, to fight against Mughal Zulum (tyranny). When he asked for volunteers, the
Panj Pyaras stood up. And who were the Panj Pyaras? 1. Bhai Daya Ram 2. Bhai Dharam Dass

Bhai Mokham Chand 4. Bhai Himmat Rai 5. Bhai Sahib Chand. These Panj Pyaras after
being baptized by partaking of the sacred Amrith were christened Singhs, the Lion
Hearted. It was on Baisakhi, 13 April 1999 that Guru Gobind Rai christened himself as
Guru Gobind Singh after partaking the Amrith. He baptized ordinary Hindus by asking
them to partake the sacred Amrith and turning them into Sikhs, the Lion hearted,the
Saviours of Dharma.
Panj Pyaras
7.            Life sketch of Panj Pyaras.
(i)           Bhai Daya Singh Ji (Daya Ram) was born in Lahore (now Pakistani Punjab) in
the year 1669 A.D.. He was Khatri by Caste. He offered his head to Guru Gobind
Singh on the Baisakhi day 1699 A.D., at the age of 30 years. He remained with Guru
Gobind Singh till he left his mortal coil in Nanded in the year 1708 A.D.
(ii)         Bhai Dharam Singh Ji (Dharam Dass). He was Jat by caste and belonged to
Hastinapur (Delhi). He was born in 1666 A.D. He also passed away in Nanded in the
presence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
(iii)       Bhai Mokham Singh Ji (Mokham Chand) He belonged to Dwarka in Surashtra
region of Gujarat. He was born in 1663 A.D. in low caste family of Chheemba
(Washermen). He sacricficed his life in battle of Chamkaur Sahib in 1704 A.D.
(iv)        Bhai Himmat Singh Ji (Himmat Rai) He was born in the year 1661 A.D. in a low
caste Jhiwar (Water bearer) family. He belonged to Jagannath Puri in Orrisa. He also
became a martyr in a battle of Chamkaur Sahib in 1704 A.D.

(v)          Bhai Sahib Singh Ji (Sahib Chand) He Was born in Bidar (Andhra) in 1662
A.D. in low caste Nai (Barber) family. He also sacrificed his life in the Battle of
Chamkaur Sahib in 1704 A.D.
8.            Thus it will be seen that the Panj Pyaras were all Hindus and were from both High
and Low caste; and they came from all parts of India. Likewise, the Indian Army too,
comprises soldiers of all castes & creeds, from all parts of India
9.            Who formed the Khalsa Panth, the Sikhs (the Lion Hearted), the sword arm of the
Hindus to fight Mughal Zulum? It was one son, mostly the eldest son of each & every Hindu
family who were baptized and christened as Sikh. It must be remembered that Sikhs are
no different from Hindus. Bharath is Punya Bhoomi in which numerous Saints & Tapaswins
have taken birth. Each Guru came at various points of time to guide mankind on the path of
Dharma; and each Guru taught or preached a way of life most conducive to betterment of
society, at that point of time. So also, Guru Nanak Devji, the first Guru and down the line
to Guru Gobind Singhji, the tenth Guru.
Are Sikhs a separate ‘Race’ or ‘Koum’?
10.         Starting from Guru Nanak Devji, the first Guru, to Guru Gobind Rai (Singh), the
tenth Guru, all of them were Hindus. Yet, to say, Sikhs are NOT Hindus, displays lack of
understanding. It is akin to saying that Soldiers of the Indian Army wearing OG uniform on
their commissioning or after their Kasam Parade are not Indians; but are a separate ‘Race’
or ‘Koum’. No soldier of the Indian Army is born donning the uniform with a weapon in hand;
but becomes a Soldier, ie. dons the Uniform and bears arms only after Commissioning or
Kasam Parade, on completion of Military training. So also, no one is born a Sikh sporting
the five Ks, ie. Kachcha, kada, Kes, Kanga & Kirpan. All Sikhs are born Hindus; and it is only
a Hindu on being baptized, ie. on partaking Amrith and on sporting the five Ks, ie. Kachcha,
kada, Kes, Kanga & Kirpan, that he is called a Sikh, the Lion hearted, the protector of the
oppressed, in other words, Saviour or upholder of Dharma.
Baptising of a Hindu Male child as a Sikh as fulfillment of Mannath.
11.          Even today, there is a custom among Hindu families, that when there is no male
progeny in the family, the family observes a Mannath or offers prayers, that in case
blessed with a male child, the child would be baptized as a Sikh and would sport the five
Ks, viz. Kachcha, Kada, Kes, Kanga & Kirpan. The Question that needs to be asked is: When
the boy’s father is a Hindu and his mother is a Hindu, just because on account of a
‘Mannath’ the young boy has been baptized as a Sikh, does that boy cease to be a Hindu
and now forms part of a different religion called Sikhism?

12. A Hindu would always remain a Hindu even when he turns a Sikh and sports the five
    Ks. Only thing is, he is guided by different set of rules or way of life. It is just like a
    Soldier on wearing the uniform, is guided by a different set of rules or a way of life,
    different from his compatriots; but in no way does he cease to be an ordinary citizen.
    Calling Sikhs a separate ‘Race’ or ‘Koum’, not in consonance with basic tenets of
    Sikhism
13. The secessionist sentiments or feelings that Sikhs are a separate ‘race’ or a
    separate ’koum’ have been fanned or accentuated by self seeking politicians adept at
    exploiting human follies & weaknesses; to the detriment of National Unity and goes against
    the very grain of Philosophy preached by Guru Nanak Devji. Oneness of God and Oneness
    of Man is the fundamental tenet of Sikhism.

ABOUT WRITER COL SS RAJAN

Col SS Rajan, born 13 Oct 1944, was commissioned in the Corps of
Engineers (The Bombay Sappers) on 30 June 1963. During the 1971 War,
he commanded 182 Engineer Construction Company (of 268 Engineer
Regiment) in Boyra-Jessore-Khulna sector in the Eastern Theatre;
culminating in the liberation of Bangladesh on 16 Dec 1971.

He was Commander 24 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) in Mizoram during the period Dec
1984-May 87; and, commanded a Training Battalion in Bombay Engineer Group & Centre,
Kirkee, Pune, thereafter. Having done Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) in
1988-89 from the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, he was Col incharge
Administration, HQ UP Area (1989-90), Col incharge Administration, HQ Delhi Area
(1990-93) and Additional Chief Engineer & Engineer Advisor to AOC-in-C Training
Command (IAF), Bangalore (1993-96); from where he retired on 31 Oct 1996.

About 35 years after the last troops of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) stepped off Sri Lankan soil, the Army, for the first time officially paid tributes to those who had laid down their lives in the three-year operation, with Chief of Army Staff, Gen Upendra Dwivedi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on Tuesday.

It was on November 25, 1987, that Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran of the 8th Battalion of the Mahar Regiment made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Pawan, the most significant operation undertaken by the PPKF in Sri Lanka. He was decorated with Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the highest award for gallantry and was the sole IPKF recipient of this award.

Sri Lanka was India’s first major overseas military campaign post-Independence. While it is considered to be tactically successful, albeit as a heavy human cost, the political, diplomatic and intelligence aspects continue to be debated. By the time the last Indian troops withdrew from Sri Lanka, the force had lost 1,171 troops with another about 3,500 being wounded.

Over the years, veterans have been holding private remembrance ceremonies to honour the war dead of India’s military intervention in Sri Lanka. For long, veterans have been campaigning for official recognition and commemoration of the Sri Lanka operations.

The IPKF was deployed in Sri Lanka from July 1987 to March 1990, under a bilateral accord to disarm Tamil militant groups, particularly the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and end the civil war in that country.

Initially envisioned as a quick and low intensity operation with little armed engagements, it quickly escalated into intense combat after strong resistance from militant groups, resulting in grueling battles involving jungle warfare, urban assaults and counter-insurgency operations and throwing up some hard lessons.

Operation Pawan was the code name for the IPKF campaign to take control of the Jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka from the LTTE and to enforce its disarmament as a part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. In brutal fighting lasting about three weeks, the IPKF took control of the Jaffna Peninsula from the heavily armed LTTE, something that the Sri Lankan Army had earlier tried but failed to do.

As part of the operation, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran of the 8th Battalion of the Mahar Regiment, was returning from a search operation in Sri Lanka, late at night on November 25, 1987, when his column was ambushed by a group of militants.

“With cool presence of mind, he encircled the militants from the rear and charged into them, taking them completely by surprise. During the hand-to-hand combat, a militant shot him in the chest. Undaunted, Major Parameswaran snatched the rifle from the militant and shot him dead. Gravely wounded, he continued to give orders and inspired his command till he breathed his last. Five militants were killed and three rifles and two rocket launchers were recovered and the ambush was cleared,” the citation for his award reads.

“Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and thought nothing of dying at his post,” the citation adds. He was the only PVC recipient of the campaign. In addition over 250 decorations, including three Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest gallantry award, were conferred on IPKF personnel.

Operating under the aegis of the Southern Command, the IPKF deployment peaked at around 100,000 troops involving the Army’s 4 Mountain Division, 36 Infantry Division, 54 Infantry Division and 57 Infantry Division along with para-military forces as well as Special Forces, Air Force and Navy elements.

Jaffna, Palaly, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara and Mannar were along areas in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka where the IPKF was deployed.

While Indian involvement in the Sri Lankan civil strife had been continuing at the political and diplomatic level since the tenure of Indira Gandhi as prime minister, the induction of the IPKF had been preceded by the first overt military operation, Poomalai, when five IAN An-32 transport aircraft escorted by Mirage 2000 flew over Jaffna to airdrop 25 tons of supplies in June 1987.

Operation Viraat, Operation Trishul, Operation Checkmate, Operation Main Road, Operation Tiger Hunt and Operation Thrividra are among other major anti-insurgency operations and strike missions undertaken by the IPKF in different areas. Sri Lanka was also the first combat exposure for the Navy’s newly formed Special Forces unit, the Indian Marine Special Force, now known as the Marine