On the intervening night of 2nd and 3rd November 1988, around 200 to 300 armed mercenaries landed in the country's capital, capturing key installations. The then President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, requested help from New Delhi and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

This week, thirty-two years ago, India launched an operation, operation Cactus, to help the Maldives as the country faced its biggest challenge--a coup launched by mercenaries. The operation forever etched in the India Maldives history of close cooperation shows how the Indian Navy played a significant role, especially in the Indian Ocean region's security and stability.

On the intervening night of 2nd and 3rd November 1988, around 200 to 300 armed mercenaries landed in the country's capital, capturing key installations. The then President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, requested help from New Delhi and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Indian Army's para brigade brought on IL 76 immediately brought things under control in the Indian Ocean Island. Still, it was the mid-ocean chase and rescue that was the most challenging part of the operation. The mercenaries, led by the leader Abdulla Luthufee fled on vessel MV Progress light and hostages, including a Maldivian govt minister. Indian navy ship--training ship Tir and Frigate Godavari were diverted to the country. The commanding officer of Godavari was the CTF-- Commander Task Force.

Other than them, Indian Navy ships Betwa, Rajput, Ranjit, Gomati, Trishul, Nilgiri, Kumbhir, Cheetah, and fleet tanker Deepak were also sailed towards the Maldives. 24x7 maritime reconnaissance aircraft (MR) air-patrols commenced.

Soon after midnight of 5/6th November, MV Progress light was given a final warning, but the fleeing mercenaries paid no heed. The 4 inches, 57 mm, and 30 mm guns of Godavari and Betwa then raked the vessel, causing a massive fire. A Naval boarding party brought the hostages to INS Godavari and apprehended the mercenaries. MV Progress light sank on November 7, 56 miles southwest of Colombo.

New Delhi was closely monitoring the situation and at the war room at a message reached the Prime Minister that read: "ALL HOSTAGES RESCUED. MERCENARIES CAPTURED," bringing a sigh of relief to many in both the countries. On November 8, recused hostages were handed over to President Gayoom in a formal ceremony. 

The developments had a global impact, with TIME magazine cover of April 3, 1989, featuring INS Godavari with a caption "Super India--The Next Military power". Leaders of the US and the UK had also lauded New Delhi's role.

One of the impacts of the development was close alignment on the security understanding between Indian and Maldives. India has been helping in the capacity and capability development of the Maldivian armed forces. Since then, thousands of Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) personnel have been trained in India.

It will be interesting to know, the present Chief of Defence Force of MNDF, Major General Abdulla Shamaal, is a graduate of DSSC, Wellington (Tamil Nadu). At the same time, his predecessors were graduates of NDC, New Delhi.

The invasion by mercenaries on November 3, 1988, also prompted the Maldives to enhance their maritime surveillance capabilities. This Indian Government provided MNDF with ships, vehicles, helicopters, coastal radars, arms, ammunition, and earlier this year, a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft.

Remembering the event in the country's history each year on November 3, MNDF personnel mark Nasruge Dhuvas or 'Victory Day.' They also pay tribute to their fallen comrades at a special memorial where an RPG--rocket-propelled grenade was fired by the mercenaries breaching the MNDF HQ in Bandara Koshi, Male in 1988.