The Sri Lankan intelligence agencies were also able to engineer a split within the LTTE. With Colonel Karuna defected from the LTTE, the latter not only lost control over the Eastern Province but also the manpower for its operations in the region.

When the IPKF went in for operations, the LTTE was in full control of the northern and eastern parts of the island. In addition, it (LTTE) also had the support of the local population. However, once the Indian Army wrested control over the Jaffna peninsula, the LTTE retreated to the jungles and resorted to guerilla warfare.

The withdrawal of the IPKF, following the death of over 1,200 of its brave soldiers, convinced Prabhakaran that he was invincible. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi also resulted in loss of sympathy for the LTTE among the Indian Tamils.

Prabhakaran committed his biggest blunder in 2007, when he switched mode from conventional warfare to guerilla warfare. He did not realise that his group would be unable to withstand the onslaught of a well-organised Sri Lankan Army.

In a way, Prabhakaran orchestrated his own downfall.

Let us pray for the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who had laid down their lives for a war that India could have very well avoided.

— Brig R S Grewal (Retd)