‘OPERATION JERICHO’
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Context
- The use of air power in Mizoram in 1966 has become a hot topic of discussion.
What was happening in Mizoram in 1966?
- In the first two months of 1966, a separatist movement led by Mizo National Front (MNF) was gathering steam in the area now known as Mizoram and then referred to as the Mizo Hills.
- The Centre had decided to station another Assam Rifles battalion in the Hills, in addition to the one Assam Rifles battalion and a few BSF companies already present.
- Incensed at this, the MNF leadership decided to launch ‘Operation Jericho’ to take control of Aizawl, the biggest town in the region, and then the entire Mizo hills. They overran Aizawl in a few days’ time in late February.
What was the Government’s Response?
- The Army operations on the ground to clear rebel-held positions were led by Brig (later Maj Gen) Rustom Zal Kabraji, who was commanding the 61 Mountain Brigade, located at Agartala.
- Maj Gen Kabraji, an officer of the Corps of Signals, was the first Signals officer to command a mountain brigade. His brigade was moved to Mizo Hills at a time when the rebels had entered Aizawl.
- The Mizo rebels had besieged the HQs of 1 Assam Rifles, where the Deputy Commissioner had taken refuge, and released all prisoners from the local jail.
- There was widespread looting of arms and cash from the government treasury. Proclamations of “independence” were made and a demand was raised for the Assam Rifles to surrender.
- In response, attempts were made to re-supply the Assam Rifles battalion with helicopters, but these were shot at by the Mizo rebels.
- Brig Kabraji led the operations on the ground in the face of stiff resistance from the rebels, taking several days to reach Aizawl. Other battalions advanced on other axes of operations
How was the IAF involved?
- As the Army struggled to dislodge the rebels, the Air Force was called in.
- The air attack helped the Army regain control of vast areas that had been declared “independent”.
- By the end of the month, aided by the air operations, Brig Kabraji’s Brigade had regained control of Mizoram.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Match the following: 1.Operation Meghdoot a) Indian military’s capture of the majority of Siachen Glacier. 2.Operation Cactus b) Launched by Mizo National Front (MNF) to take control of Aizawl. 3.Operation Madad c)Indian armed forces oust Tamil nationalist mercenaries who instigated a coup in Malé in the Maldives. 4.Operation Jerecho d) Relief operation in flood-hit Kerala. A. 1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b B. 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b C. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b D. 1-c, 2-, 3-b, 4-d Answer: A. 1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b |
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