Operation Pawan Veteran Fifth Annual Commemoration

At National War Memorial

24th March 2025

“The National War Memorial is not a ‘Victory Memorial’, but a hallowed ground recording for posterity the names of all who made the ‘Supreme Sacrifice’ on the battlefield while safeguarding the national interest. It does not permit latitude for selective commemoration based on the results of a military operation or political bias of the Government of the day "

– Col RS Sidhu

A Solemn Occasion

Nearly ‘seven score and a half’ Veterans, ‘Veer Narees’, accompanied by more than a ‘score’ of ‘next and second gen’, gathered at the National War Memorial (NWM), at New Delhi to pay homage to their loved ones who made the ‘supreme sacrifice’ during Operation Pawan 1987-90. They came from far and wide, with Maj Gen V David Iver Devavaram of 7 MADRAS being the farthest, flying in from deep down south in Kerala.

It was 3.30 pm, and the sun was at its peak. The stone encased surface adjacent to the Cenotaph, devoid of shade, reflected the heat of the sun, adding to the discomfort of the aged and the differently abled in the gathering.

It was the fifth year in succession that the veterans of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), had congregated for a ‘private’ commemoration and remembrance ceremony at the hallowed grounds of the NWM to pay homage to their colleagues who had immortalised themselves and their names engraved in stone on the Remembrance Wall. The veterans have stepped up to perform the solemn duty which the Government and the military hierarchy have abdicated.

The most unique aspect of this ‘collective’ was the bonhomie, despite the unconducive environment, and evident disparity in age, background, profession, and gender. The eldest was nigh on ninety years and still agile and lively, while the youngest at ten years of age looked on with hope in heart to be able to emulate his granddads colleagues when he comes to that age.

One of the most heartening feature of the gathering was the *presence of near ‘two scores and ten’ uniformed fraternity as representatives of their units*. Even the increased presence of the star ranks from the veteran community, including two erstwhile VCOAS and Army Cdrs, around 10 odd Maj Gens and Brigs, was indicative of the deepening emotional appeal which this most unique operation continues to hold over its veterans. This year the contingents of 15 MECH INF, 5 RAJPUT, RAJ RIF REGT, and 7 MADRAS stood out by their numbers in attendance.

A Mass of Duality

Most walked in with a confident gait, with head held high, and a spring in their steps defying their age. Then there were those who entered aided by their loved ones, and walking sticks, while a couple were on wheel chairs.

There were back thumping reunions with old companions, and poignant moments on coming face to face with the ‘Veer Naris’ and the ‘next and second gen’ of their erstwhile colleagues who were no more. There was gaiety and peals of subdued laughter, and moist eyes, in equal measure.

The Cenotaph and the imposing surroundings, which till a few moments ago bore an empty, cold and remote look, seemed to come alive, as if a switch had been turned on, exuding all at once an aura of solemnity and warmth.

The Proceedings

In accordance with the multiple restrictions of the ‘permission letter’ from the Adjutant General Branch, Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Army), it was to be a *silent ceremony*. There were no bugle calls sounding the ‘Last Post’ and the ‘Rouse’, and no audible words of command, generally associated with such a solemn military function. It generated a collective feeling amongst the gathered veterans of something amiss. Pindrop silence was the hallmark of this solemn event.

Yet the proceedings were held with clockwork military precision. The smartly turned out ‘Gorkhas’ of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles, a paltan which had distinguished itself in Operation Pawan, led the drill for the wreath laying at the Cenotaph.

The following were honoured to lay the wreath: -

Mr Ramanathan, brother of Maj R Parmeshwaran, PVC (Posthumous) 8 MAHAR

Mrs Kamaljit Kaur Sekhon, Veer Nari Lt Col AS Sekhon, VrC (Posthumous) 7 MADRAS

Mrs Shubhkiran Bedi, sister-in-law of 2/Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi, VrC (Posthumous) 8 ENGR

Sameer Harsha, son of Late Maj Harsha, 554 ASC Bn

Mrs Sheela Sauran, Veer Nari Col DS Sauran, YSM (Posthumous) DOGRA

Sub Kheempal, Unit representative 18 KUMAON

Capt Abhimanyu, Unit representative 15 MECH INF

Mrs Parminder Kaur, Veer Nari late Capt Harvinder Singh, 12 GARH RIF

Brig BK Khanna (Veteran), USYM, VSM** 5 RAJ RIF

Maj Gen Deepak Mehra (Veteran), KC, AVSM, VSM, 1/5 GR

Appreciatively, the event progressed uncluttered by the presence of jostling camera crews normally associated with public military parades.

Honouring Veer Naris & Tea

The Plaza, where busts of the PVCs are installed at the NWM, is in close vicinity to the Cenotaph. In the previous ‘private commemoration’ this space was utilised by the veterans to honour the ‘Veer Naris’ and read out the citations of the gallantry awardees of Operation Pawan, whose kin were to lay the wreath.

This year The Plaza was denied for holding the said function. Perforce the function was held at a location outside the NWM. The ‘Veer Naris’ were presented with mementos, followed by Tea.

A *book display* of a ‘score’ of books, authored by the veterans of Operation Pawan was also laid out, courtesy ‘Sabre and Quill’ publishers, who have the unique distinction of publishing maximum books, by any publishing house, on this unique military operation.

Three Cheers To

Lt Col Atul Kochhar, 1 JAK LI, the Chief Coordinator and moving spirit behind the whole event, ably supported by his daughter Ms Shefali Kochhar.

Col Satish Chander, 16 RAJ RIF, the voluntary administration pointsman of the group.

Lt Col Manoj Chanan, 65 ARMD, the media coordinator of the show.

Col Yash Saxena, 9 PARA (SF), for taking on the trouble shooting role.

Lt Col BR Nair, INT Corps, ably handled behind the scene backend support.

We convey our special thanks to Lt Gen Milan Naidu, spearhead of the push for official recognition of Operation Pawan commemoration, Brig Inder Mohan Singh, President IESL, for throwing the weight of his organisation behind us, Lt Col (Dr) TC Rao, Rezang La War Memorial and social entrepreneur, for sponsoring the Tea arrangements, Col Naresh Bana, General Secretary Indo-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, for coordinating maintenance of the graves of the IPKF KIA in the Emerald Isles, Maj Gen DK Sen, AVSM, Offg Executive Director NOIDA Shaheed Smarak, for display of solidarity with our aim.

Brig SK Chatterjee, Bharat Shakti for media outreach.

However, this year we regret our inability to share our customary thanks with the Adjutant General and his team, due to their bureaucratic outlook, and petty discourtesies. But we are happy to extend our sincere thanks to the uniformed ‘Team’ on the ground, who ensured the conduct of the ceremony with full grace and solemnity that the occasion demands.