Batticaloa ops were launched when our troops had spent enough time in Sri Lanka. Jaffna was well under control. Progress had been made in other sectors also. Batticaloa was under domination of the LTTE when the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) went into operations to drive the LTTE out. Its western periphery was along the coastline and provided LTTE with the opportunity to enter the area along the sea coast. Batticaloa also witnessed well-coordinated operations with helicopters being used by the infantry battalions to attack LTTE cadres in the jungles.
The participants in the discussion are veterans who fought in the area and include the following officers:
Maj Gen Binai Pooneen (Retd) is from 13 MAHAR, and was the GOC 57 Mtn Div. Currently, he is a visiting faculty at the Infantry School, Mhow.
Col VK Rao (Retd) I JAK LI. The officer has 20 years of experience in Counter Insurgency operations. He commanded 129 Infantry Battalion TA (Eco) and took premature retirement after a tenure as Officer on Special Duty to the RRM.
The discussion has been moderated by Brig SK Chatterji (Retd) Editor Bharatshakti.in.
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