operation cactus - Gulbin Sultana*

A surgical team of 27 medics provided assistance to the injured at the civil hospital at Malé and took charge of the hospital in the absence of the superintendent of the hospital. [...] Speed in mounting the operation: The ability of the Indian political leadership to take a quick decision to launch Operation Cactus and the ability of the Indian military to mount the operation within a short period of time were the crucial factors behind the success of the mission. [...] Role of the NSS: The ability of the NSS to deter the mercenaries from entering and occupying the NSS HQ until the Indian forces reached Malé prevented the rebels from overthrowing the regime. [...] In the process, the IAF had to face several challenges while undertaking the mission, leading to a four hour delay in the take-off of the aircraft from the schedule originally planned during the meeting between the political and military leaders. [...] Though the Canberra squadron was sent to Malé for photo recce, the decision, unfortunately, was taken so late that it could not provide information to the pilot of the lead IL-76 on time.25 When the decision to launch the operation was taken, the main focus was to activate the paratroopers and the aircraft for paradropping or landing.