On This Day: Operation Poomalai Over Jaffna (4 June 1987)
பிரசுரிக்கபட்ட திகதி: 04/06/2026 (வியாழக்கிழமை)
On 4 June 1987, the Indian Air Force carried out Operation Poomalai ("Flower Garland"), also known as Eagle Mission 4, during the Sri Lankan civil conflict.
The operation involved Indian Air Force An-32 transport aircraft, escorted by Mirage 2000 fighter jets, flying into Sri Lankan airspace and airdropping food and essential supplies over parts of the Jaffna Peninsula.
The mission came shortly after the Sri Lankan military's Operation Liberation, launched on 26 May 1987 in the Vadamarachchi region of Jaffna against the LTTE. Reports at the time indicated that the military offensive had disrupted the supply of essential goods to the peninsula, prompting India to undertake the relief operation.
Two days before the airdrop, a flotilla of small Indian naval vessels led by Captain Gupta had attempted to deliver supplies through the Palk Strait. However, the vessels were intercepted by the Sri Lankan Navy and turned back.
Following this, on the evening of 4 June 1987, five Indian Air Force An-32 aircraft, protected by five Mirage 2000 fighter jets, entered Sri Lankan airspace and dropped relief supplies over Jaffna.
Indian authorities also stated that 35 Indian and foreign journalists accompanied the mission to witness the operation.
Pictured below: An Indian Air Force An-32 aircraft departing from the Air Force Station in Bengaluru for Operation Poomalai. (Photo: Wikipedia).
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