Operation Pawan ... Several of the more recently developed capabilities of the Navy have proved their utility in the challenging venture that Operation Pawan has become. The scale and quality of the naval role in the peace-keeping mission in Sri Lanka warrants special mention. In fact long before the unrest in the northern part of the island nation assumed its present complexion, the Navy was at work. As ethnic strife raged through the Jafana region, the Navy was called upon to monitor the movement of vessels carrying refuges and to protect fishing boats. The signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement on 29 Jul 87 and the stance taken thereafter by the LTTE added several dimensions to the scenario. It is a multi-purpose role that the Navy has been required to play. Transportation and maintenance of the Indian Peace Keeping Force has necessitated a virtual 'milk run' to the island from ports in South India. An estimate of what has been involved tells some of the story - 200,000 men ferried , in either direction; 100,000 tonnes of stores, 8,000 vehicles. Ships from the merchant fleet have also lent their support; the dedication of their Masters (a few having been with the Navy earlier) has contributed substantially. It has also proved how closely linked are the naval and mercantile fleets in the overall maritime interest of the nation. A 'cordon militaire' was established by the Eastern Naval Command in October 87, supported by the Coast Guard. A 300-mile-long line of control has been constantly patrolled by ships and aircraft. At any given time more than a dozen vessels are enforcing that blockade. The result has been a snapping of the line of supply to the militants, and therefore a marked decrease in their violence. The smaller vessels - seaward defence boats, landing craft, and inshore patrol vessels have rendered remarkable service under trying conditions. The ability of the Navy to sustain a large body of troops for such an extended period has attracted special attention in military circles, for it adds a qualitative edge to the overall defence capability. The Navy has seen action too. A squad from the recently set up Indian Marine Special Force, along with commandos from the Army, has denied the use of the shallow lagoons to the LTTE. A series of backstage raids and clandestine missions against LTTE hideouts and training camps, has thrown up heroes aplenty. Lt Arvind Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his singular gallantry. Combat landing on beaches, aerial surveillance, and support to the troops by naval helicopters and aircraft are now standard operating procedure. The pilots of the ageing Alize Squadron have displayed both valour and versatility. As conditions in the Jaffana Peninsula improved the refuges began to return and over 25,000 of them were transported from Tamil Nadu to ports in Sri Lanka. Once again, merchant ships were used extensively. Operation Pawan has been unique in several ways. Insurgency puts any military force to severe stress. The Indian Navy can derive justifiable satisfaction that it has executed a difficult task with rare determination. When the history of the operation is written, there will surely be high acclaim for the naval personnel who performed their varied tasks so effectively.