Operation Viraat
Encyclopedia
Operation Viraat , along with Operation Trishul
, was an anti-insurgency operation launched by the IPKF against the LTTE in April 1988 in Northern Sri Lanka
, in the provinces of Mannar
to Mullaitivu
and Elephant Pass
to Vavuniya
.
The operation was planned as a result of the evolving doctrine among the Indian high command of conducting search and destroy
missions against LTTE strongholds instead of holding key strong points. It utilized approximately 15,000 troops including armoured corps, Paratroops, as well as the infantry troops and army aviation.
The operation achieved some success in disrupting LTTE operations,with seizure of weaponry and inflicting limited casualties among the LTTE cadres. By the end of summer 1988, these operations had forced the LTTE to move its stronghold, when it started to operate out of Nithikaikulam and adjacent riverine areas.
During the Operation Viraat, the IPKF uncovered well prepared LTTE defenses, including concrete bunkers with electric generators, as well as cache of arms and reserves. The IPKF also suffered in this unconventional warfare, with the LTTE frequently ambushing IPKF convoys and patrols.
Operation Trishul
Operation Trishul, along with Operation Viraat, was an anti-insurgency operation launched by the IPKF against the LTTE in April 1988 in Northern Sri Lanka, in the provinces of Mannar to Mullaitivu and Elephant Pass to Vavuniya....
, was an anti-insurgency operation launched by the IPKF against the LTTE in April 1988 in Northern Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, in the provinces of Mannar
Mannar, Sri Lanka
Mannar , formerly spelled Manar, is the capital of Mannar District, Sri Lanka. It is located on Mannar Island.Mannar is known for its baobab trees and for its fort, built by the Portuguese in 1560 and taken by the Dutch in 1658 and rebuilt; its ramparts and bastions are intact, though the interior...
to Mullaitivu
Mullaitivu
Mullaitivu is a small town on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of Mullaitivu District in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A largely fishing settlement, the town in the early 20th century grew as an anchoring harbour of the small sailing vessels transporting goods between...
and Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass, Northern Province, Sri Lanka is an important military base and formerly the island's largest salt field, located in the gateway of Jaffna Peninsula. It has thus regularly been the site of battles during the civil war....
to Vavuniya
Vavuniya
Vavuniya is a town in northern Sri Lanka. This town is situated in the Northern Province. Vavuniya was often referred to as the gateway to Vanni....
.
The operation was planned as a result of the evolving doctrine among the Indian high command of conducting search and destroy
Search and destroy
Search and Destroy, Seek and Destroy, or even simply S&D, refers to a military strategy that became a notorious component of the Vietnam War. The idea was to insert ground forces into hostile territory, search out the enemy, destroy them, and withdraw immediately afterward...
missions against LTTE strongholds instead of holding key strong points. It utilized approximately 15,000 troops including armoured corps, Paratroops, as well as the infantry troops and army aviation.
The operation achieved some success in disrupting LTTE operations,with seizure of weaponry and inflicting limited casualties among the LTTE cadres. By the end of summer 1988, these operations had forced the LTTE to move its stronghold, when it started to operate out of Nithikaikulam and adjacent riverine areas.
During the Operation Viraat, the IPKF uncovered well prepared LTTE defenses, including concrete bunkers with electric generators, as well as cache of arms and reserves. The IPKF also suffered in this unconventional warfare, with the LTTE frequently ambushing IPKF convoys and patrols.