Anniversary of ‘Operation Cactus’ in Maldives

New Delhi : Today is the anniversary of Operation Cactus , when the Indian Commandoes flew into the island territory of Malidives when it was threatened by a group of mercenaries, who had taken over the Presidentaial palace in Male at 4 a.m. on the morning of November 3.India received a request at 5.30 in the morning for help. Foreign Minister of Maldives, Fataulla Jamil rang up Rajiv Gandhi, who responded to the request.Things started moving fast in Delhi. As Principal Information Officer of the Government of India, I was asked to be present at the operations room of the Army Headquarters early in the morning. General V.N. Sharnma, who was the Chief of the Army Staff, told us that India would send a detachment of the Para Brigade to Male and the Air Force has also been asked to be ready for an airlift.