Air Force’s Ops In Mizoram : How Operation Jericho Was Quelled?

Context: 

The use of air power in Mizoram in 1966 came in news after the Prime Minister mentioned it in the Lok Sabha while replying to the no-confidence motion.

About Operation Jericho:

• Issue: In 1966, a separatist movement led by Mizo National Front (MNF) was getting a stronger hold in Mizoram, then referred to as the Mizo Hills.
• Stationing of the Assam Rifles & BSF: 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.
• Launching Operation: Outraged 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.
• A Masterstroke: Operation Jericho had been described by a military writer as a “masterstroke” with “near complete military preparation”, not witnessed hitherto fore in the Indian subcontinent.

Severe Situation: 

• Besieging of Headquarters & Release of Prisoners: 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.
• Widespread Looting: There was widespread looting of arms and cash from the government treasury.
• Proclamation of Independence: Proclamations of independence were made and a demand raised for the Assam Rifles to surrender.

Government’s Response:

• Re-Supply: In response, attempts were made to re-supply the Assam Rifles battalion with helicopters, but these were shot at by the Mizo rebels.
• Entry of Air Force: 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”.
• Regained Control: By the end of the month, aided by the air operations, the army had regained control of Mizoram.

Specific Achievements:

• Vayu Sena Medal: Flt Lt ( later Air Chief Marshal) SK Sareen later received a Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in 1970, with his citation including a reference to the Mizo ops. 
• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal: Group Captain (later Air Vice Marshal) Jasper Bouche, senior staff officer in the Eastern Air Command responsible for planning the operations, received an Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), with his citation also referring to his role in the Mizo ops. 
• Shaurya Chakra: Flight lieutenant (later Air Commodore) Rajendra Narain Pande received a Shaurya Chakra for flying helicopters under fire in the Mizo operations.

Conclusion:

• Mizoram Accord was signed between the Government of India and leader Laldenga on 30 June 1986. It so far remains the only successful peace accord of its kind in independent India’s history. 
• It is the only insurgency in the world which ended with the stroke of a pen by security experts all over the world.

News Source: The Indian Express