In a historic gesture, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi paid homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during Operation Pawan at the National War Memorial on November 25, 2025. This marks the first official recognition of the 1,171 Indian soldiers who died and over 3,500 who were injured during the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) mission in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990, aimed at disarming militant groups and restoring peace amidst civil strife. The event was attended by Vice Chief of the Army Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, who himself participated in the operation, as well as veterans and the families of the fallen, highlighting a long-overdue acknowledgment of their sacrifices. While previous memorials were held privately by veterans and families, this formal tribute intends to address the lingering resentment among IPKF veterans regarding the lack of commemorative recognition and reflects an important step in honoring the military’s contributions and sacrifices in operations abroad. The Army’s initiative also underscores a growing awareness of the need to properly recognize historical military engagements, reinforcing the bond between serving personnel and veterans while fostering a collective national memory.