Table of Contents

Introduction; Prelude; The Accord & the IPKFs Mandate; Prelude to the Hard Option; Military Offensive Against the LTTE; Battle Studies; High Command Failure; Conclusion; Appendices; Index.

About the Author

Harkirat Singh was born in Lahore and commissioned in the Brigade of the Guards, Indian Army in June 1956. He saw active service during the Indo-Chinese conflict of 1962 in the Eastern Sector and later in the Indo-Pakistan conflicts of 1965 and 1971. He was appointed GOC, IPKF in Sri Lanka in July 1987. He graduated from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, later he attended the Joint Services Staff College in the UK. During his 35 years in the IA he held various Command and Staff appointments. He was also the Indian Military Adviser in Yugoslavia, Romania and Italy from 1977 to 1981. He commanded the first Anti Tank Missile Battalion during the Indo-Pakistan conflict of 1971 which for its pivotal role was awarded the Battle Honour of Chhamb in the NW Sector and other gallantry awards.