The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organization fighting for an independent Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, pioneered the use of suicide attacks on July 5, 1987. This strategy was characterized by the formation of the Black Tigers, an elite squad dedicated to carrying out these high-risk operations. The first successful suicide attack was executed against the Sri Lankan Army, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing civil conflict. The establishment of the Black Tigers changed the dynamics of the fighting, as they employed these tactics to strike at high-value military targets, thereby inflicting significant casualties on government forces.

The onset of suicide bombing as a tactic by the LTTE can be seen as a response to the increasing military pressures they faced from the Sri Lankan government and its armed forces. By employing such drastic measures, the LTTE aimed to instill fear while boosting their own morale and visibility. The operation demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice operatives for greater strategic gains, solidifying the notion of martyrdom within the movement.

In the following years, the Black Tigers would carry out numerous high-profile attacks, becoming a defining feature of the LTTE’s military campaign. This innovative tactical shift not only amplified the conflict's intensity but also drew international attention to the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka, ultimately altering the course of the civil war.