The Tigers declared their intent to continue armed struggle for an independent Tamil Eelam and refused to disarm. The IPKF soon found itself engaged in a bloody police action against the Tigers, which culminated in the rebels being cornered on the Jaffna Peninsula, at the northern end of the island. The IPKF set out to complete its mission of disarming the LTTE by taking Jaffna by force.
The Tigers' decision to continue armed struggle for an independent Tamil Eelam led to a violent confrontation with the IPKF, which ultimately resulted in the rebels being trapped on the Jaffna Peninsula. The IPKF's goal was to disarm the LTTE by capturing Jaffna through military action.