Part of Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War
Relief supplies drifting towards Jaffna
Location
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Objective
Supply the Tamil Tigers in Jaffna by air
Bring a halt to Operation Liberation
Date
4 June 1987 15:55 – 18:13 (IST)
Executed by
Indian Air Force
Para SF
5 Antonov An-32 military transport aircraft
No. 7 Squadron IAF
4 Mirage 2000H jet fighters[1]
Outcome
Success
LTTE successfully supplied
Second Phase of Operation Liberation halted the same day
v
t
e
Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War
Poomalai
Pawan
Trishul
Viraat
Checkmate
Jaffna University Helidrop
v
t
e
Sri Lankan Civil War
Main topics
Eelam War I
Indian intervention
Eelam War II
Eelam War III
Eelam War IV
Battles and operations
Bombings and terrorist attacks
Other military attacks
Mass graves
Chemmani
Duraiappa
Mirusuvil
Sooriyakanda
Massacres
Black July
Kokkilai massacre
1985 Valvettiturai
Kumudini
Akkaraipattu
Prawn farm
Eastern University
1990 Batticaloa
Massacre of policemen
1991 Kokkadichcholai
Air Lanka Flight 512
Jaffna lagoon
Aluth Oya massacre
Navaly
Nagerkovil-Allaipiddy
Vankalai
Central Bus Station bombing
Muttur
Kent and Dollar Farm
Anuradhapura
Aranthalawa
Kattankudi mosque
Palliyagodella
Lionair Flight 602
Kallarawa
October 1995
Gonagala
Kebithigollewa
Jaffna Hospital
Central Bank bombing
Dehiwala train bombing
1989 Valvettiturai
Habarana massacre
Operation Poomalai (Tamil: Pūmālai, lit. "Flower Garland"), also known as Eagle Mission 4, was the codename assigned to a mission undertaken by the Indian Air Force for airdropping supplies over the besieged city of Jaffna in Sri Lanka on 4 June 1987 to support the Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Jaffna was then under blockade by Sri Lankan troops as a part of Sri Lanka's offensive against the Tamil separatist movement. Concerned over alleged violations of interests of the Tamils, who had broader support among the Tamil population of Tamil Nadu as well as the government, India attempted to negotiate a political settlement but the Indian offers had been rebuffed by Colombo. As civilian casualties grew,[2][3] calls grew within India to intervene in what was increasingly seen in the Indian (and the Tamil) media as a developing humanitarian crisis, especially with reports of aerial bombardment against rebel positions in civilian areas.[3][4]
The Government of India, under Rajiv Gandhi, decided to attempt to deliver aid to the northern area of Sri Lanka as a symbolic act of support to the rebels. The first of those efforts, a naval flotilla, was intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy and was ordered to withdraw. Two days later, India mounted the airdrop over Jaffna.
^Cooper, Tom (2018). Paradise Afire: The Sri Lankan War, 1971-1987. Helion Limited. p. 67. ISBN 9781912390342. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
^Sri Lanka in 1987: Indian Intervention and Resurgence of the JVP. Pfaffenberger B. Asian Survey, Vol. 28, No. 2, A Survey of Asia in 1987: Part II. (Feb., 1988), pp. 139
^ ab"India Enters; The Airdrop and the L.T.T.E.'s Dilemma". Uthr.org. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
^"Growth of Sri Lankan Tamil Militancy in Tamil Nadu.Chapter I - Phase II (1987-1988). Jain Commission Interim Report". Tamilnation.org. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
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