The Man Of All Islands

Male’ NSS fort attacked at 4 a.m. by Sri Lankan mercenaries led by Abdulla Luthfee and Sagar Ahmed Nasir. The attack is co-ordinated by three of the mercenaries, Vasanthi, Farooq and Babu. Despite attempts by the rebels to disrupt communications, the telephone system functions throughout the attack. Gayyoom rings the US ambassador in Sri Lanka for assistance and is told Washington has decided the Indians will act.
Lacking public support, the rebels seize hostages including the then minister of transport Ahmed Mujutaba and his Swiss wife, and Ismail Naseer. They leave Male’ harbour aboard a government ship, Progress Light. That night, India lands 1500 paratroopers in Hulhule’. At sea, Progress Light is captured by the Indian navy, with six dead from the ship. 19 Maldivians are killed in the coup attempt, including eight members of the NSS.