IPKF inducted an electronic warfare(EW) unit into Jaffna when serious action against the LTTE was considered. I was the Commanding Officer(CO) of this EW field unit which I deployed in and around the Jaffna Fort. This general area was already occupied by a Maratha Light Infantry (MLI ) battalion and it's CO was staying at a cozy corner inside the Fort. I had selected a location for an EW detachment on a vantage point on the rampart which incidentally was next to the tiger's den (CO's residence). Adjutant MLI informed us about his CO's discomfort and their concern about his security since EW antennae were visible from the LTTE localities and therefore presented lucrative targets. I did not yield and went ahead to deploy the EW detachment at the selected location albeit our relations with MLI got strained.
At this time, my EW unit was dependent on the bigger MLI unit for certain administrative support and we were subject to some harsh treatment. The issue that affected us most was the supply of diesel essential to run our generators.
While a chill in our relations prevailed for a few days, the MLI unit got an operational task to flush out the LTTE militants from a prominent building , Veerasingha Hall, near the Fort and we were tasked to support the operation. Both units joined hands to coordinate the effort and the operation turned out to be a success. Our intercepts proved very useful for the entire operation and this was appreciated by CO, MLI and higher commanders. While basking in the glory, my 2IC came to me with an interesting intercept. We had monitored the battalion radio net, as well. A senior officer of MLI had asked a junior officer to delete a few items from the list of "captured items" to be reported formally to the higher HQ. And the most attractive item was a TV! My 2IC wanted to use this recorded conversation ( intercept) effectively for arm twisting . Having found some merit in his view I agreed with a caveat; there should not be any alteration to the list of captured items and the correct list must be reported. He contacted the Adjutant, MLI and informed him about the explosive material with the EW unit. This caused a flurry of activities in the MLI Operations Room. Their CO wanted to meet but I was too busy preparing my report to the Divisional HQ! Soon came a delegation from the MLI unit comprising their 2IC, Adjutant and Subedar Major with a packet of chocolates and an invitation to dinner to me and an invitation to a "Bara khana" to all ranks of the EW unit!
I accepted the chocolates and the invitation to barakhana. Needless to say, the units ironed out their differences and remained in harmony since then, taking part in several operations in Srilanka during Op Pawan!
How would Anna Hazare view this?
Sent from my iPad
At this time, my EW unit was dependent on the bigger MLI unit for certain administrative support and we were subject to some harsh treatment. The issue that affected us most was the supply of diesel essential to run our generators.
While a chill in our relations prevailed for a few days, the MLI unit got an operational task to flush out the LTTE militants from a prominent building , Veerasingha Hall, near the Fort and we were tasked to support the operation. Both units joined hands to coordinate the effort and the operation turned out to be a success. Our intercepts proved very useful for the entire operation and this was appreciated by CO, MLI and higher commanders. While basking in the glory, my 2IC came to me with an interesting intercept. We had monitored the battalion radio net, as well. A senior officer of MLI had asked a junior officer to delete a few items from the list of "captured items" to be reported formally to the higher HQ. And the most attractive item was a TV! My 2IC wanted to use this recorded conversation ( intercept) effectively for arm twisting . Having found some merit in his view I agreed with a caveat; there should not be any alteration to the list of captured items and the correct list must be reported. He contacted the Adjutant, MLI and informed him about the explosive material with the EW unit. This caused a flurry of activities in the MLI Operations Room. Their CO wanted to meet but I was too busy preparing my report to the Divisional HQ! Soon came a delegation from the MLI unit comprising their 2IC, Adjutant and Subedar Major with a packet of chocolates and an invitation to dinner to me and an invitation to a "Bara khana" to all ranks of the EW unit!
I accepted the chocolates and the invitation to barakhana. Needless to say, the units ironed out their differences and remained in harmony since then, taking part in several operations in Srilanka during Op Pawan!
How would Anna Hazare view this?
Sent from my iPad
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