A coup attempt in the Maldives in November 1988 sent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom into hiding. Operation Cactus was India’s military intervention in the island nation at Male’s behest to rescue President Gayoom and restore his democratically elected government. Launching an airborne operation more than 2,500 km away–at short notice and without much intelligence–was a difficult choice. Nonetheless, the decision was deliberate, bold, and ...
