Every year, the National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi becomes a sacred space where the nation gathers to honor the memory of India’s brave hearts. It is a solemn ground, a symbol of national gratitude for those who sacrificed to defend the nation. This year, however, the gathering carries a distinct emotional weight and significance. The assembly is more significant than ever, with more than a hundred veterans, Veer Naris, next of kin, and proud citizens coming together—each carrying the stories of valor, sacrifice, and resilience.
Among them are those who served in Operation Pawan, India’s first large-scale overseas military intervention in Sri Lanka. The scale and significance of this operation remain under-recognized, mainly by the nation’s official narratives. Even the hallowed grounds of the National War Memorial, designed to celebrate the tales of bravery of India’s armed forces, remain silent on this crucial chapter of history.
This year’s gathering is not just a reunion; it is a quiet but firm assertion—a reminder that the sacrifices made in Operation Pawan deserve equal recognition. The absence of formal acknowledgment forces us to ask uncomfortable but necessary questions: Why has Operation Pawan been relegated to the periphery of military memory? Why does hesitation persist within the Service Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence to honor this historical operation and the soldiers who served in it?
Operation Pawan: A Landmark Overseas Intervention
Operation Pawan, launched in 1987, was a watershed moment in India’s military history. It was the first and largest overseas deployment of Indian troops under the banner of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), aimed at enforcing the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and bringing peace to the war-torn island nation amidst a complex geopolitical situation.
Over 70,000 Indian troops were sent to Sri Lanka, making it one of the most significant military engagements outside Indian soil. The operation required coordinated action from all arms of the Indian Armed Forces—the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces. It was a military mission and a test of India’s diplomatic, strategic, and operational capabilities.
The Indian soldiers were thrust into a volatile environment of jungle warfare, urban combat, and an unfamiliar terrain dominated by the deadly tactics of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Initially intended as a peacekeeping mission, it quickly became a bloody confrontation, forcing the IPKF to engage in fierce, close-quarter battles.
The complexities of the mission, lack of clarity in objectives, and political constraints made the operation extremely challenging. Yet, the soldiers acted with discipline, courage, and unwavering commitment to duty, making significant sacrifices. They paid a heavy price—with over 1,200 soldiers killed in action and thousands more injured or permanently disabled.
Despite the scale of sacrifice, Operation Pawan remains an uncomfortable chapter—often bypassed in military discourse and academic curriculum and notably absent from public memory.
The Roll Call of Valor: Honoring the Attendees
The upcoming gathering at the National War Memorial brings together a distinguished list of attendees whose presence alone narrates the saga of courage and sacrifice. This assembly is more than a ceremonial event—it is a living testament to the blood, sweat, and lives lost in a complex geopolitical conflict.
The Attendees
Families of decorated heroes like Major R. Parameshwaran, PVC (Posthumous), whose gallantry cost him his life but earned him India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
2 Lt A S Bedi, VrC (Posthumous)—another symbol of youthful bravery and supreme sacrifice.
Senior officers who led from the front, including Lt Gen PC Bhardwaj, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, SC, VSM, and Maj Gen Samay Ram, whose leadership was instrumental during the operation.
Regimental representatives from units like the 65 Armoured Regiment, MECH INF, RAJPUT, MAHAR, 7 MADRAS, and 4 JAT were pivotal in the campaign.
The presence of the kin of these martyrs—sons, daughters, wives, and siblings—brings an emotional depth to the event. They remind the nation that behind every fallen soldier is a family that continues to bear the loss with pride, even decades later. Their presence is a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices made for the nation’s security.
Systemic Apathy: Reluctance of the Service Headquarters and Ministry of Defence
What is glaring—and hurtful—is the Service Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence’s persistent reluctance to fully embrace and honour Operation Pawan and its martyrs. Repeated appeals for official recognition and participation of the next of kin in ceremonies like wreath-laying have been met with muted responses.
The hesitation becomes even more stark when the families of Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees face hurdles in participating in such symbolic ceremonies. If the family of Major R. Parameshwaran—India’s highest-decorated hero from Operation Pawan—finds it hard to be included, it exposes a deeper malaise within our system.
In a recent communication from the Service HQ, it was communicated, I quote: “To commemorate the braves of OP PAWAN for the year 2025, a silent wreath-laying ceremony will be held on 24 March 2025, from 1530 hrs to 1630 hrs. No felicitation ceremony will be permitted during the conduct of the above event.”
This reflects a systemic issue—a tendency to sideline complex or politically sensitive operations in favor of simpler, unambiguous victories. With all its political baggage, Operation Pawan has been relegated to the footnotes of history rather than being treated as the landmark military intervention it was. This calls for a reevaluation of our approach to recognizing and honoring our military history.
Param Vir Chakra: The Symbol of Supreme Sacrifice
The Param Vir Chakra represents the highest ideals of courage and sacrifice. Major R. Parameshwaran, posthumously awarded the PVC, stands tall as an embodiment of those values. His actions during Operation Pawan—leading his men in a fierce firefight against the LTTE and laying down his life—are tales that should inspire generations.
Yet, when his family struggles for rightful acknowledgment during national commemorations, it raises troubling questions about how we, as a nation, treat our greatest heroes. Ignoring such sacrifices undermines the spirit of honoring those who put the country above themselves.
Emotional Bonds: The Army’s Relationship with Veer Naris and Families
In a recent heartfelt interview with journalist Smita Prakash, the Chief of Army Staff underscored the deep emotional bonds the Army maintains with its Veer Naris and martyr families. The Chief spoke of the moments of grief and pride shared with them—moments that transcend ranks, postings, and official duties.
However, institutionalizing this bond has remained a challenge. Although individual officers and regiments frequently exceed expectations, there is no formal framework in place to guarantee the ongoing care of the families of fallen soldiers. The sidelining of Operation Pawan’s heroes is a grim example of how institutional memory can fail.
Lessons from Operation Pawan: Buried or Forgotten?
Operation Pawan was not just a military operation but a precursor to India’s Integrated Theatre Command vision. It tested India’s ability to execute joint operations, manage complex logistics, coordinate air-land-sea operations, and handle civil-military diplomacy on foreign soil.
The operation forced the Indian military to grapple with guerilla warfare, urban combat, and nation-building efforts—all of which are increasingly relevant today. Sadly, many of these lessons have been filed away, neither taught in military academies nor integrated into doctrine.
India risks repeating the same mistakes by refusing to engage with this chapter. The current silence around Operation Pawan is not just a case of historical oversight; it is a strategic blunder that will deprive future military leadership of critical lessons.
The National War Memorial: The Missing Chapter
The National War Memorial was envisioned as a space that tells the story of every soldier’s sacrifice. Yet Operation Pawan finds no place in its narrative. There is a board with no narrative, and no dedicated photographs reflect the scale of sacrifice during the IPKF operations.
This selective memory is deeply unjust—not just to the veterans and their families, but to every Indian citizen who deserves to know the whole story of the nation’s military history. Genuine military pride comes not from victories alone but also from honoring complex, challenging missions that test the mettle of our forces.
A nation that remembers only its triumphs is a nation that learns little from its past.
A Call for Recognition and Remembrance
The gathering of Operation Pawan veterans and families at the National War Memorial is a silent protest and a loud reminder that we must correct this historical oversight.
The soldiers who fought in Operation Pawan did not choose this war. They went where the nation ordered them, fought valiantly, and many never returned. Their sacrifice is no less than that of soldiers in any other war.
It is time for the Service Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, and the National War Memorial Committee to officially include Operation Pawan in India’s military narrative. The memorial must feature dedicated sections, names, and imagery honoring those who served and died in Sri Lanka.
Doing so would be a tribute to the heroes and reaffirm the values that define the Indian Armed Forces: service, sacrifice, duty, and honor.
We owe it to those who wore the uniform and fell in a land not their own. Only then can we honestly say that we honor all our soldiers—not selectively, but wholly and unreservedly.