1. Never before in the annals of Military history of the world, the Armed Forces were asked to perform such a complex and ardous task as was entrusted to the IPKF in Sri Lanka as a sequel to the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord on 29 July, 1987. The IPKF embarked on an extremely delicate mission to help implement the Accord and to ensure the Island's territorial integrity. The mission soon turned into a highly compex and war-like campaign as the LITTE launched a counter-offensive against Sri Lankan Government and the IPKF.

2. Sustained intenive operation by the IPKF sattered the resistance of the LITTE and contained their violent activities. Alongside military operations against the terorists, the IPKF launched reconstruction programmes to rehabilaitate the Tamil areas where large scale destreuction had taken place due to military operations carried out by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces upto July 1987, and subsequently by the destructive acts of the LITTE. Basic civic, medical and other infra-structural services were restored to normalcy.

3. Major achieivements of the IPKF were the conduct of provincial elections, the Presidential elections and the parliamentary elections in the Nort-Eastern Province despite oppositions from the militants and other agencies. Observer groups from various countries, as well as the media and press covered these elections and informed the world their free and fair conduct.

4. The IPKF by their devoted performance and high professional, had, in a short span of time between October 1987 to March 1990, transformed the prevailing situation in the North-East province of Sri Lanka. The law and order situation has seen a seachange and the democratic processes have been re-established.

5. For the IPKF Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen "Operation Pawan" has been a mission acomplished and a job well done.

6. Today, the nation gratefully remembers the glorious services of the IPKF with issue of a special stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India