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Mahesh

17/08/23 20:16 PM IST

Operation Jericho

In News
  • The use of air power in Mizoram in 1966 has become a hot topic of discussion after the PM of India mentioned it in the Lok Sabha while replying to the no confidence motion.
Operation Jericho
  • A period of protests and armed insurgency followed in the 1960s.
  • A separatist movement (seeking independence from India) 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.
  • Outraged by this, the MNF leadership decided to launch ‘Operation Jericho’ to take control of Aizawl and overran Aizawl in a few days’ time (in late February).
  • Operation Jericho had been described by a military writer as an expression of confidence and clinical planning not witnessed hitherto fore in the Indian subcontinent.
  • A large number of volunteers who joined in the armed struggle were either ex-servicemen or personnel of the Assam Regiment battalions dismissed for lack of discipline.
  • The Mizo rebels had besieged the HQs of 1 Assam Rifles 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 raised for the Assam Rifles to surrender.
IAF role
  • The IAF’s initial role was to re-supply the army installations, for which Dakotas and Caribou transport aircraft were pressed in from Guwahati and Jorhat.
  • In one such mission, the Dakota received 21 bullet holes before it landed at Kumbhigram air base near Silchar.
  • This was the event that necessitated the offensive air operations.
  • The two IAF Squadrons, 29 Squadron and 14 Squadron, were primarily involved in the air ops.
  • The 29 Squadron flew the Toofani (French origin Dassault Ouragan) based at Bagdogra, while the 14 Squadron flew Hunters out of Jorhat.
  • The actual missions started on March 5. The air attack helped the Army regain control of vast areas that had been declared independent.
  • By the end of the month, Brig Kabraji’s Brigade had regained control of Mizoram.
Source- Indian Express

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