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Operation Cactus
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Operation Cactus was a unique mission for the Indian Army. Within hours of receiving an appeal for assistance from the Government of Maldives, Indian troops rescued President Abdul Gayoom and foiled a coup d’état attempt by rebel forces led by Abdullah Luthufi and assisted by the Tamil secessionist group from Sri Lanka, the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). On the notice of a few hours, the Indian military put together a strong task force that flew non-stop over 3,000 km, from Agra to Malé, and restored the Maldives’ government’s control over its capital.
In this book, General V.P. Malik, Chief of the Indian Army from 1 October 1997 to 30 September 2000, tells the story of this coup and the alacrity, expertise and meticulousness with which it was executed. In the process he focuses on the decision-making processes that were followed at the political and military strategic levels as well as at the operational level. He writes about defence and military diplomacy and provides a historical as well as futuristic perspective on India’s higher defense management.
Operation Cactus was a unique mission for the Indian Army. Within hours of receiving an appeal for assistance from the Government of Maldives, Indian troops rescued President Abdul Gayoom and foiled a coup d’état attempt by rebel forces led by Abdullah Luthufi and assisted by the Tamil secessionist group from Sri Lanka, the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). On the notice of a few hours, the Indian military put together a strong task force that flew non-stop over 3,000 km, from Agra to Malé, and restored the Maldives’ government’s control over its capital.
In this book, General V.P. Malik, Chief of the Indian Army from 1 October 1997 to 30 September 2000, tells the story of this coup and the alacrity, expertise and meticulousness with which it was executed. In the process he focuses on the decision-making processes that were followed at the political and military strategic levels as well as at the operational level. He writes about defence and military diplomacy and provides a historical as well as futuristic perspective on India’s higher defense management.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2013
3 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 1, 2020
Bits of History/ Source Document
There is much I would have liked to read about the Maldivians. But, not much has been written about them, nor from their perspective. That is unfortunate, because much has happened there... and still is happening at the bottom of the world, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. My first choice would have been to read about the Tsunami in this century, which washed away part of the archipelago and took many lives. I found nothing that covered The Maldives chain of islands. I hope to eventually get my hands on a good book/ worth reading about that event.
In the meantime I discovered this short book on Kindle about India's mission to stop a coup attempt. It is written very simply, like many military chronicles, and it is a source document officially. What made the situation remarkable is the history behind the mission. The Maldives didn't get its independence back (post European Invasion/colonization) until 1965, in my lifetime. India became independent in 1947. Here you have a once glorious world empire (India) that had been ravaged and looted during colonization, coming to the aid of a tiny neighboring nation state. India had the backing of other countries around the world.
This is important for nation-building in formerly colonized nations, to be able to respond and defend themselves and each other. Like the Moon Landing, it was a series of small steps for countries still struggling to find their footing. And, it was a sweeping success. It would have been nice to hear the story from the perspective of the Maldivians. This is a military style report though. Leaders aren't raised overnight. Many of the formerly colonized countries had their leadership wiped out. Incompetent and powerless puppets were raised in their place. And, generations grew up without any real leadership. So, it is a journey to independence... like here in the United States. We were not independent when a document was signed. Slaves were not free at Emancipation.
Though the book was too short, and too limited in scope, and certainly not worth the price on Kindle ($5.99;) it is an important 'piece' of event that I would not have known about were it not for this book. Therefore I am glad I found it.
This was my stop in the Maldives for my Journey Around the World in 2019-2020. My next stop will be The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian. It is Book 4 in a series which I have not read. More on that to come after I read that book.
There is much I would have liked to read about the Maldivians. But, not much has been written about them, nor from their perspective. That is unfortunate, because much has happened there... and still is happening at the bottom of the world, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. My first choice would have been to read about the Tsunami in this century, which washed away part of the archipelago and took many lives. I found nothing that covered The Maldives chain of islands. I hope to eventually get my hands on a good book/ worth reading about that event.
In the meantime I discovered this short book on Kindle about India's mission to stop a coup attempt. It is written very simply, like many military chronicles, and it is a source document officially. What made the situation remarkable is the history behind the mission. The Maldives didn't get its independence back (post European Invasion/colonization) until 1965, in my lifetime. India became independent in 1947. Here you have a once glorious world empire (India) that had been ravaged and looted during colonization, coming to the aid of a tiny neighboring nation state. India had the backing of other countries around the world.
"India’s intervention was endorsed by the US, the Soviet Union, the UK and several of our South Asian neighbors like Nepal and Bangladesh."
This is important for nation-building in formerly colonized nations, to be able to respond and defend themselves and each other. Like the Moon Landing, it was a series of small steps for countries still struggling to find their footing. And, it was a sweeping success. It would have been nice to hear the story from the perspective of the Maldivians. This is a military style report though. Leaders aren't raised overnight. Many of the formerly colonized countries had their leadership wiped out. Incompetent and powerless puppets were raised in their place. And, generations grew up without any real leadership. So, it is a journey to independence... like here in the United States. We were not independent when a document was signed. Slaves were not free at Emancipation.
Though the book was too short, and too limited in scope, and certainly not worth the price on Kindle ($5.99;) it is an important 'piece' of event that I would not have known about were it not for this book. Therefore I am glad I found it.
This was my stop in the Maldives for my Journey Around the World in 2019-2020. My next stop will be The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian. It is Book 4 in a series which I have not read. More on that to come after I read that book.
October 15, 2016
Operation Cactus is a (brief) account of the first Indian rapid-response strategic mission in Male. In 1988, during the Rajiv Gandhi Era, India receives an appeal from Maldives President Abdul Gayhoom to help foil a coup led by rebel forces and supported by PLOTE.
The book(?) written by General V P Malik, talks about the protocols and how within hours of the ask a joint force of Army, Navy and Airforce was mobilised from Agra to Male. It also gives a peek into the decision making process of political leadership of a country and the role each play in operations planning of a mission.
The book is matter of fact and carries none of the drama associated with a Sunny Deol/Akshay Kumar movie sequence of such a bold and successful mission. Felt confident that we are in safe hands of the forces and pride in India.
A very quick read!
The book(?) written by General V P Malik, talks about the protocols and how within hours of the ask a joint force of Army, Navy and Airforce was mobilised from Agra to Male. It also gives a peek into the decision making process of political leadership of a country and the role each play in operations planning of a mission.
The book is matter of fact and carries none of the drama associated with a Sunny Deol/Akshay Kumar movie sequence of such a bold and successful mission. Felt confident that we are in safe hands of the forces and pride in India.
A very quick read!
September 27, 2016
Quick, enjoyable read on an Indian fast-response operation in the Maldives during the Rajiv Gandhi era. Very informative, very detailed in terms of Armed Forces protocol. Can be read as a intuitive primer to the international politics of the time in the Indian Ocean region.
October 9, 2017
An enjoyable read about the Operation conducted by the Indian armed forces in the Maldives.
the book has its moments of tension and joy but it's an extremely short book. It would have been much better if there was more details and explanation of the surroundings in Maldives.
However, this is an awesome book for a quick read on one of the first laurels of the Indian Rapid Action Forces.
the book has its moments of tension and joy but it's an extremely short book. It would have been much better if there was more details and explanation of the surroundings in Maldives.
However, this is an awesome book for a quick read on one of the first laurels of the Indian Rapid Action Forces.
September 13, 2017
22 Pages explain the bravery of the Indian armed forces.Book describes how an emergency military operation carried out swiftly in a neighboring country with precise coordination by the three departments of the Indian army.
February 12, 2019
Crisp & Gripping Summary of Indian Armed Forces Operational Prowess
These 26 pages amplifies the challenges as well as capabilities of Higher Decision making structure or lack of it at that point in time. Also need of jointmanship in plg and conduct of Ops.
These 26 pages amplifies the challenges as well as capabilities of Higher Decision making structure or lack of it at that point in time. Also need of jointmanship in plg and conduct of Ops.
September 27, 2017
there is nothing as such you are reading a book its a editorial which is good but not definitely a book
December 17, 2019
Nice
A very short report of the operation, not much details or expected excitement, but still informative and inspiring read .
A very short report of the operation, not much details or expected excitement, but still informative and inspiring read .
April 25, 2020
Ok
Too short for a book. But good summary. More like a article in a magazine. . . . . .
Too short for a book. But good summary. More like a article in a magazine. . . . . .
July 14, 2016
This is a super quick read on an operation to suppress the 1988 Maldives coup. It was first such operation for Indian Armed forces and it was executed almost flawlessly in difficult operational conditions and demanding timelines.
Thanks to HarperCollins for bringing this one in Harper XXI E-Omnibus Series. We need more such content.
Thanks to HarperCollins for bringing this one in Harper XXI E-Omnibus Series. We need more such content.
January 18, 2017
A short and succinct account of Operation Cactus, in which Gen Malik had a role to play.
Best to call this a booklet, not a book
Best to call this a booklet, not a book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews