Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka: Deployment 1987–1990

The IPKF was deployed to Sri Lanka in July 1987 under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord (signed July 29, 1987) to disarm the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) and enforce peace.

• Mandate: Supervise ceasefire, disarm militants, support provincial councils.
• Strength: Peaked at ~100,000 personnel.
• Outcome: Failed to disarm LTTE; fought intense combat (Operation Pawan, Oct 1987); accused of human rights violations.
• Withdrawal: Completed March 1990 after Sri Lankan President Premadasa requested departure.
• Casualties: ~1,200 Indian soldiers killed; thousands of Sri Lankan civilians and LTTE cadres died.

The mission is widely seen as a strategic failure, shaping India's subsequent reluctance for overseas military interventions.