The Maldives marks Victory Day on November 3, commemorating the defeat of an attempted coup in 1988, when armed mercenaries working with local conspirators launched an attack on the capital Malé in an attempt to overthrow the government of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
The attack, carried out by members of the Sri Lanka-based People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), brought the country to the brink of a political takeover. However, resistance by Maldivian security personnel, followed by military assistance from India, ultimately prevented the coup from succeeding.
The events left 19 Maldivians dead, including eight members of the security forces and 11 civilians. Their sacrifice is remembered annually as the country observes November 3 as Victory Day.
The beginning of the attack
The operation began before dawn on November 3, 1988, after a group of approximately 80 armed PLOTE mercenaries, led by Abdullah Luthufee and Ahmed Nasir, arrived in Malé aboard boats from Sri Lanka.
The group had departed from the Sri Lankan port of Mullaitivu on October 29. Upon reaching Malé, the attackers divided into separate groups, with plans to target key government and security installations, capture senior officials and seize control of the administration.
Among their primary targets was the headquarters of the National Security Service (NSS), the predecessor of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The attackers began their assault at approximately 4:15 a.m. Maldivian security personnel immediately mounted a defence, disrupting the mercenaries’ plans to take control of the military headquarters.
One of the first to confront the attackers was 20-year-old Corporal Hussain Adam, who was stationed near the main entrance of the NSS headquarters.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, he continued firing at the attackers and reportedly managed to hold back 46 mercenaries before being killed at approximately 4:40 a.m.
His resistance gave other Maldivian personnel time to organise their defence and respond to the attack.
Maldivian forces resist the takeover
Following the initial confrontation, the mercenaries launched further attacks on the NSS headquarters from different directions. They also attempted to breach the compound using explosives and rocket attacks.
However, the resistance by Maldivian security personnel prevented them from taking control of the headquarters.
The attackers also attempted to capture President Gayoom and senior government officials. Their efforts failed, and the President was able to move to a secure location.
Meanwhile, the mercenaries attacked communication facilities, including the engineering and postal buildings, disrupting electricity and communications across Malé.
Under the command of Major Moosa Ali Jaleel, Maldivian personnel continued patrols and defensive operations despite the danger. Three members of the security forces were killed during these operations, but their resistance helped prevent the attackers from consolidating control of the capital.
As the attempted takeover began to collapse, the mercenaries turned to escape by sea.
The hijacking of Progress Light
With their plans failing, Abdullah Luthufee and the remaining attackers seized the cargo vessel Progress Light at Malé harbour.
They took a group of Maldivians hostage, including then-Minister of Transport Ahmed Mujuthaba, and fled towards the open sea.
The hijacking transformed the crisis into a maritime hostage situation, with the attackers attempting to escape while using the hostages as protection.
The Maldivian Government sought assistance from India as the situation developed.
India launches Operation Cactus
Following an appeal for military assistance from President Gayoom, India launched Operation Cactus to help restore control and prevent the attempted coup from succeeding.
Indian military aircraft carrying troops arrived at Hulhulé International Airport on the night of November 3. Indian forces secured the airport before moving towards Malé to assist Maldivian security personnel.
The intervention helped secure the capital and protect the Maldivian Government.
However, the operation continued beyond the initial military response, as the Indian Navy pursued Progress Light and the fleeing attackers.
On November 6, Indian naval forces intercepted the hijacked vessel after it refused orders to stop. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of several hostages, while the remaining passengers were rescued and the attackers captured.
The vessel and those rescued were subsequently brought under the control of the authorities.
The intervention, carried out at the request of the Maldivian Government, became known as Operation Cactus and is regarded as a significant episode in India-Maldives relations.
Remembering the fallen
A total of 19 Maldivians lost their lives during the November 3 attack: eight members of the security forces and 11 civilians.
Among the servicemen were Corporal Hussain Adam, Lieutenant Kudanevi Thu’thu Maniku, Sergeant Kuda Adam Kuda Thu’thu, Sergeant Adam Naseer, Corporal Hussain Mohamed, Corporal Mohamed Ibrahim, Corporal Mohamed Hassan and Corporal Abdulla Zuhair.
The civilians who lost their lives included Ibrahim Hussain, Ismail Haleem, Ibrahim Hameez, Umar Ahmed, Abdul Sattar Adam, Abdul Rahman Adam, Ahmed Rasheed, Hassan Zareer, Jawadh Umar, Ahmed Labeeb and Hussain Abdul Rahman, known as Dhonmanik.
Their deaths remain central to the country’s annual Victory Day commemorations.
The November 3 Memorial at the MNDF headquarters in Malé commemorates the servicemen who died defending the country. The memorial incorporates features representing the events of the attack, including a reconstruction of the wall breached by the mercenaries.
Victory Day continues to serve as an annual reminder of the events of 1988, honouring those who lost their lives and commemorating the defence of the Maldives’ sovereignty and independence.
