This is the epitaph that greets a visitor at the IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) Memorial, at Colombo, built by Sri Lanka to honour the soldiers and sailors of the Indian Armed Forces, who'd made the supreme sacrifice while defending that country consequent to the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of Jun '87. I, too, was a member of the IPKF and the ship that I was commanding - INLCU L 36 - was operating close to the Jaffna Lagoon at the time of this incident.
Dateline 12 Oct!
Today, we pay homage to the brave soldiers of 13 Sikh Light Infantry(Then led by Maj Birendra Singh, VrC (P) and 10 Para Commando, commanded by Maj Sheonan Singh, VrC - part of the operation "Jaffna Helidrop". Launched on the midnight of 12 Oct 1987, the operation was planned as a fast heliborne assault to capture the LTTE leadership at Jaffna University building which served as the Tactical Headquarters of the LTTE.
Unknown to the Indian intelligence, the LTTE had intercepted Indian radio communications, had advance knowledge of the operation and had correctly identified the landing ground. Jaffna University had been turned into a fortress. Several 0.50 calibre machine guns had been moved to the north of the football field and LTTE cadres had laid an ambush for the Indian troops.
As the troops were heli-dropped, they came under intense fire. In many cases, the soldiers were not able to see the LTTE snipers and attackers. After the Sikh Li's radioman was shot early on, the unit lost contact with the Indian High Command at Palaly Air Base. Further insertions of Indian troops could not be made due to the firing and 30 Sikh LI soldiers were left in the battleground on their own devices.
Through the night, the Sikh LI fought fiercelessly even as the men fell one by one, Maj Birendra Singh and his Platoon Commander, Subedar Sampuran Singh fell to enemy fire sometime in the morning. By 1130 hrs on 12 Oct, Delta Company was down to three jawans surviving. When they ran out of ammunition, the three survivors attempted a brave bayonet charge. Two were cut down by LTTE gunfire and the last man, Sepoy Gora Singh, was taken POW. When the Indian Army finally reached the area after a week of heavy firing, they found the battlefield littered with pieces of Sikh LI's uniforms and equipment, along with thousands of 0.50 MG shells. Gora Singh, after his release, reconstructed the happenings of this day as one of the most poignant battles in the history of the Indian Army.
The fallen Sikh soldiers were stripped off their weapons, uniforms and equipment and their bare bodies laid out in a row at the nearby Buddhist Nagaraja Vihar temple. The mortal remains of the fallen troops were burnt with a barrel of oil.
In total, the Delta Company lost 29 men killed in action, accounting for almost all of the Sikh LI casualties. The Para Commandos lost six men in the battle.
The 13th Sikh LI now holds a special Ardas and Akhand Path on 12 Oct, every year, to honour their 30 fearless comrades on the brutal killing fields of Jaffna University. Salute to these brave men who lost their lives for a war which was not their own. They merely followed orders and fought for the #izzat of their 'Paltan', the Indian Army and the nation.
Jai Hind.
Tailpiece.
It was, indeed, a quiet Sunday and during the course of the day, the first set of clothes were washed and the unpacking was completed. Lekha's advice about returning yesterday itself was right.
Dateline 12 Oct!
Today, we pay homage to the brave soldiers of 13 Sikh Light Infantry(Then led by Maj Birendra Singh, VrC (P) and 10 Para Commando, commanded by Maj Sheonan Singh, VrC - part of the operation "Jaffna Helidrop". Launched on the midnight of 12 Oct 1987, the operation was planned as a fast heliborne assault to capture the LTTE leadership at Jaffna University building which served as the Tactical Headquarters of the LTTE.
Unknown to the Indian intelligence, the LTTE had intercepted Indian radio communications, had advance knowledge of the operation and had correctly identified the landing ground. Jaffna University had been turned into a fortress. Several 0.50 calibre machine guns had been moved to the north of the football field and LTTE cadres had laid an ambush for the Indian troops.
As the troops were heli-dropped, they came under intense fire. In many cases, the soldiers were not able to see the LTTE snipers and attackers. After the Sikh Li's radioman was shot early on, the unit lost contact with the Indian High Command at Palaly Air Base. Further insertions of Indian troops could not be made due to the firing and 30 Sikh LI soldiers were left in the battleground on their own devices.
Through the night, the Sikh LI fought fiercelessly even as the men fell one by one, Maj Birendra Singh and his Platoon Commander, Subedar Sampuran Singh fell to enemy fire sometime in the morning. By 1130 hrs on 12 Oct, Delta Company was down to three jawans surviving. When they ran out of ammunition, the three survivors attempted a brave bayonet charge. Two were cut down by LTTE gunfire and the last man, Sepoy Gora Singh, was taken POW. When the Indian Army finally reached the area after a week of heavy firing, they found the battlefield littered with pieces of Sikh LI's uniforms and equipment, along with thousands of 0.50 MG shells. Gora Singh, after his release, reconstructed the happenings of this day as one of the most poignant battles in the history of the Indian Army.
The fallen Sikh soldiers were stripped off their weapons, uniforms and equipment and their bare bodies laid out in a row at the nearby Buddhist Nagaraja Vihar temple. The mortal remains of the fallen troops were burnt with a barrel of oil.
In total, the Delta Company lost 29 men killed in action, accounting for almost all of the Sikh LI casualties. The Para Commandos lost six men in the battle.
The 13th Sikh LI now holds a special Ardas and Akhand Path on 12 Oct, every year, to honour their 30 fearless comrades on the brutal killing fields of Jaffna University. Salute to these brave men who lost their lives for a war which was not their own. They merely followed orders and fought for the #izzat of their 'Paltan', the Indian Army and the nation.
Jai Hind.
Tailpiece.
It was, indeed, a quiet Sunday and during the course of the day, the first set of clothes were washed and the unpacking was completed. Lekha's advice about returning yesterday itself was right.
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