Army veterans, Veer Naaris seek recognition for Operation Pawan heroes

In a solemn gathering at the National War Memorial (NWM), over a hundred armed forces veterans, Veer Naris (war widows), families of gallantry awardees and citizens came together to pay homage to the soldiers who served in Operation Pawan — India’s first large-scale overseas military intervention in Sri Lanka in 1987.

The event held on Monday saw the participation of decorated officers, gallantry award recipients and families of Param Vir Chakra recipient Major R Parameshwaran (posthumous) and Vir Chakra awardee 2nd Lt AS Bedi (Posthumous), along with soldiers from regiments that played key roles in the operation.

However, beyond the tributes and wreath-laying, the gathering also highlighted a growing sense of discontent over the absence of Operation Pawan from official military narratives.

Despite repeated appeals from veterans, there remains no formal recognition of Operation Pawan at the National War Memorial, and the names of its fallen heroes remain absent from its displays.

“There remains a reluctance within the Service Headquarters and Ministry of Defence to formally recognise and commemorate the valiant contributions of Operation Pawan veterans,” said Lt Col Manoj K Channan (retd), one of the organisers of the event.

This omission, veterans argue, dilutes the honour accorded to India’s highest gallantry awards, including the Param Vir Chakra.

Families of martyrs and retired officers at the event emphasised that the exclusion of Operation Pawan’s sacrifices from national memorials undermines the historical significance of the mission and the lessons it holds for future military operations.

Operation Pawan was a joint effort by the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, involving intense jungle warfare, urban combat and complex peacekeeping operations. Veterans stress that the operation’s experiences hold critical lessons for India’s evolving military strategy, particularly as the country moves toward integrated theatre commands and greater joint-force coordination.

Calling for immediate corrective action, veterans and families of martyrs urged the Government of India, the Ministry of Defence and the National War Memorial committee to ensure that the sacrifices of Operation Pawan’s soldiers are formally recognised.

“The organisers urge the Government of India, the Ministry of Defence and the National War Memorial committee to correct this oversight and ensure that the sacrifices of those who fought and died in Operation Pawan receive the national recognition they deserve,” said Lt Col Channan.

As wreaths were laid in memory of the fallen soldiers, the veterans reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring Operation Pawan finds its rightful place in India’s military history, with the expectation that this issue will not be ignored much longer.