services. At the peak of its operational deployment, IPKF operations also included a large Indian Paramilitary Force and Indian Special Forces elements. Indeed, Sri Lanka was first theatre of active operation for the Indian Navy Commandos. The main deployment of the IPKF was in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. Upon its withdrawal from Sri Lanka the IPKF was renamed the 21st Corps and was headquartered near Bhopal and became a quick reaction force for the Indian Army. Indian Army The first Indian Army troops to be deployed to Sri Lanka were a ten thousand strong force from the 54th Infantry Division commanded by Major General Harkirat Singh, which flew into Palali Airbase from 30 July onwards. This was followed later by the 36th Infantry Division. By 1987, the IPKF consisted of: 54 Infantry Division 10th Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) 65 Armoured Regiment, equipped with T-72 tanks. 6th Battalion, Brigade of the Guards 91 Infantry Brigade 5th Battalion, Madras Regiment 8th Battalion, Mahar Regiment 1st Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry 76 Infantry Brigade 12th Battalion, Garhwal Rifles 2nd Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry 25th Battalion, Rajput Regiment 47 Infantry Brigade 11th Battalion, Madras Regiment 5th Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry 14th Battalion, Sikh Light Infantry 36 Infantry Division 115 Infantry Brigade 5th Battalion, 1 Gorkha Rifles 72 Infantry Brigade 4th Battalion, 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force). 13th Battalion, Sikh Light Infantry 41 Infantry Brigade 5th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles 57 Infantry Division 4 Mountain Division Independent Units 340 Independent Infantry Brigade (Amphibious) 1 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (later part of 57 Inf Div) 26 Punjab 25 Madras 3 Punjab 18 Infantry Brigade 4th Battalion, Mahar Regiment 12th Battalion, Grenadiers 5th Battalion, Parachute Regiment 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special forces) 9th Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special forces) 13th Battalion, Brigade of the Guards 4th Battalion, Assam Regiment 15th Battalion Mechanised Infantry Regiment 25th Battalion Mechanised Infantry Regiment 17 Parachute Field Regiment 831 Light Regiment 8 Engineer Regiment 110 Engineer Regiment Indian Air Force Soon after its intervention in Sri Lanka and especially after the confrontation with the LTTE, the IPKF received a substantial commitment from the Indian Air Force, mainly transport and helicopter squadrons under the command of Gp.Capt. M.P Premi, including: No. 33 Squadron- Antonov An-32s No 109 and No. 119 Helicopter Units – Mil Mi-8 helicopters. No. 125 HU – Mil Mi-24s. No. 664 AOP Squadron Chetak and Cheetah Indian Navy The Indian