Operation Cactus

Introduction 

Behind any attack or a war, there always exists more than one motive. We have watched and experienced many attacks and wars by our neighbouring countries for various reasons. Conquering our motherland was the primary objective of them and weakening the government control and raising economic crisis were a few other objectives. Likewise, in the 1980's Maldives also faced attacks with a motive to ousted the then government rule of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who served as the second President of Maldives. 

Preface

The Maldives got its independence from the British in 1965. So it required time to develop itself in terms of financial and security concerns. Before 1980, there were many developments brought in the Maldives like various industries were brought in force; it had experience how president rule works. Ibrahim Nasir was the first President of Maldives after which in 1978, President Gayoom took in charge of the post. To overthrow his Government for various political means, the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) attacked the Maldives but both the attacks failed. The first attack was carried out in 1980 while the second in 1983. So after the acute failure, PLOTE decided to attack once more. If their motive of performing this attack would fulfil, then they would have control over the Maldives, and after doing it, they could attack India quickly from there. 

An attack in the Maldives

A group of 80 mercenaries led by Abdullah Luthufi hijacked two fishing trawlers sailing from Sri Lanka and reached Male, the capital of Maldives. One trawler docked in the Presidential Jetty, while the other in Commercial Harbour so that they could infiltrate and produce massive damage in the Maldives as soon as possible. Their primary aims were to destroy the radio and telecommunication centre of Male and infiltrate in Presenditial Palace to arrest President Gayoom. But both the tasks failed although they were successful in capturing the Education Minister Ahmed Mujuthaba and his mother in law. Ibrahim Zaki, the Foreign Secretary of Maldives, was making desperate calls to countries like United States, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore and India. However, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Singapore denied the request because o their incapability. The United States asked them to wait for a few days for their reinforcement to reach the Maldives, which was not possible. So India agreed on performing this mission as if Luthufi's plan of coup d 'état Maldives got success, then he would become the President of Maldives and India would have faced a lot by the results of it.

India's Retaliation 

On 3rd November 1988, Operation Cactus was officially initiated when three Ilyushin II-76 aircraft took off carrying 50th Independent Parachute Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Farukh Bulsara, the 6th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, and the 17th Parachute Field Regiment from Agra Air Force Station. The aircrafts consisted of 398 paratroopers who were specialised in parachuting and ground assault. They had to travel for around 2000 km non-stop to avoid delay as the situation in the Maldives was worsening every minute. The Indian paratroopers after landing on the Male International Airport safeguarded the airport so that more rebels would not land there. Not only this but they rescued President Gayoom and also gained control over the city. When Luthufi realised his defeat, he along with few left mercenaries hijacked a freighter from the Maldives and started sailing towards Sri Lanka. Here, two Indian Navy frigates INS Godavari and INS Betwa hindered Luthufi from flying away, and at the end, they caught him, other mercenaries. The brave hearts of India destroyed Luthufi's dream of ruling a country. 

Conclusion 

The Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Army presented their bravery and made this mission successful. Around 400 Indian paratroopers participated in this operation without even knowing where and for what purpose they were going. Countries around the world acknowledged this bravery and patriotism. This operation set an example for the whole world.