[3][4] The Government of India, under Rajiv Gandhi, decided to attempt to deliver aid to the northern area of Sri Lanka as a symbolic act of support to the rebels.

At the time a Sinhala majority government was instituted that passed legislation deemed discriminatory by the substantial Tamil minority population.

Outside the TULF, however, factions advocating more radical and militant courses of action soon emerged, and the divisions started flaring into a violent civil war.

[5] The first round of violence flared in 1983 when the Four Four Bravo incident occurred, which sparked anti-Tamil riots in which nearly 3000 Tamil civilians were killed by state-sponsored mobs.

The militant factions, notably the LTTE, at this time recruited in large numbers and continued building on popular Tamil dissent and stepped up the guerrilla activities.

In May 1985, the guerrillas launched an attack in Sri Maha Bodhi shrine, a sacred site for Buddhists & it houses the world's oldest living human-planted tree, planted in 288 BC.

In this incident, 70 Tamil youths were forced by the Sri Lankan Army to gather within the town's library before it was blown up using high explosives.

[8] A convoy of 19 fishing boats carrying 38 tons of food, fuel, and medicine and an Indian Coast Guard vessel escorting them was sent.

[9][10][11] Following the failure of the naval mission, the decision was made of symbolic support for the Tamil rebels as well as an act to preserve the credibility of Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi among the country's Tamil population—by the Indian Government to carry out an airdrop of the humanitarian supplies to the LTTE, designated Operation Poomalai or Eagle Mission 4.

At 2200 on 2 June, 7 Squadron was directed to send a six aircraft detachment to HAL Airport, where they were re-directed to Yelahanka Air Force Station north of the city.

The Mirages were armed with two Matra Magic II AAMs and 2× 30 mm DEFA 554 revolver cannons with 125 rounds each as a measure against any opposition by the Sri Lanka Air Force, and also carried three drop tanks.