THE MECHANISED FORCE IN OPERATION PAWAN Veteran Col RS Sidhu “ 1984 - 89 is a most unique and heady period in India's post-independence military history. For the first and only time, from independence till date, India flexed its military muscle in the Indian sub-continent all along its land and maritime borders in a near simultaneous time frame !” “ Headquarters IPKF, a Corps size tri-Service organisation, with nearly 100,000 troops from the three services under its command…is, in fact, the de facto forerunner to the joint Theatre Commands now being proposed for the Indian armed forces .” “ Families lost their bread winners, women were widowed, children orphaned, limbs amputated, and the seriously wounded medically boarded out of military service. There were happy endings as well, lives saved, moments of unforgettable humour when bullets were flying around, human bonding, and lifelong camaraderie .” “ To achieve its economic targets India needs a harmonious domest