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The mandate of the IPKF was to keep the peace between the main Tamil rebel group LTTE and the Sri Lankan armed forces. From the start, the LTTE did not trust the IPKF fully and the Sri Lankan forces and the JVP loathed the foreign presence on their soil. The IPKF was drawn into conflict with the LTTE in late 1987, and in fighting that took about three weeks, the IPKF took control of the Jaffna Peninsula from the LTTE rule, a feat that the Sri Lankan army was struggling for several years. But this came at a price, as it lost over 200 soldiers. The subsequent years saw several operations being carried out and more casualities being suffered. They were forced to leave 31 March 1990, because of a specific request by the Sri Lankan President Premadasa , who had turned full circle and made a pact with the rebel Tamil Group LTTE. He specifically requested the IPKF to leave and India had no choice other than to withdraw its troops. As a result, relations between India and Sri Lanka became extremely sour and India vowed never to offer any military help to Sri Lanka again. This policy was not changed when Sri Lanka urgently requested its help later in Chandrika Kumaratunga 's regime to ward off LTTE fighters approaching Jaffna. India has since softened and agreed to sign a defence pact with Sri Lanka. The IPKF suffered 1,166 killed in action and several thousands in wounded. Its role in the Sri Lankan conflict was much maligned, and it was a forgotten force. It was ironic that after several years, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces realised the role of IPKF and proposed building a memorial to the Indian Dead in Sri Lanka. REFERENCES
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