By October 1987, 54 Infantry Division of IPKF had succeeded in breaking the LTTE stranglehold over Jaffna peninsula. It was quite clear now that it was no longer a peacekeeping operation, and the Indian Army had already commenced inducting additional formations. 4 Infantry Division was primarily responsible for Vavunia. Through the sector runs the North – South communication network in Sri Lanka. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam was well entrenched in Vavunia’s jungles.
Prabhakaran, the LTTE supremo, was to meet his end over here at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army, after IPKF operations were wound up. The three participants in the discussions are all Sri Lankan veterans:
Guests:
Lt Gen SA Hasnain (Retd) 4Garhwal. Commanded Srinagar based 15 Corps. Currently, he is the Chancellor of Central University, Kashmir, Member NDMA. The officer fought with his battalion.
Brig X Adrianwala (Retd) is from 9 Horse, also known as Deccan Horse, Armoured Corps. He was the Brigade Major of 7 Infantry Brigade and was responsible for planning and co-ordinating operational aspects of the brigade. He has been a military observer on a UN assignment and instructor at the Defence Services Staff College.
Col RS Sidhu (Retd). Participated in Operation Pawan as Company Commander with 15 Mechanised Infantry, subsequently Commanded 12 Mechanised Infantry (8 Paras-16 Mahar). Brig SK Chatterji (Retd), Editor Bharatshakti.in moderates the discussion.
Moderator: Brig SK Chatterji (Retd). Editor, Bharatshakti.in
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