What is the common examiner trap about Security & Defence in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the year of the rebellion (1966) but provide options like 1965 (Indo-Pak War) or 1971 (Bangladesh Liberation). They may confuse the IAF squadrons (29 Sqn with Toofani vs 14 Sqn with Hunters) or the army units involved (8 Sikh vs 5 Para). Another trap is attributing the air strike decision to a different authority (e.g., Prime Minister instead of the Defence Ministry/Army command).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Security & Defence for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: March 1966 (Month and Year of IAF air strikes) 2. Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Defence (the overseeing ministry for IAF operations) 3. Target this Legal Point: Use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) - the legal framework often invoked in such internal security scenarios, though not explicitly mentioned in the article, is a key linkage.

SecurityHistory

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 19 of 19

IAF's 1966 Aizawl Air Strikes Under Operation Jericho Mark 60th Anniversary of Mizo National Front Rebellion

Q: Which central armed police force, mentioned in the article, was a primary target of the Mizo National Front's attacks in 1966?

Assam Rifles, The article explicitly states that the Mizo rebels attacked positions of the Assam Rifles. It also mentions that volunteers for the armed struggle included ex-servicemen or dismissed personnel from the Assam Regiment battalions. The Assam Rifles is a paramilitary force central to security in India's northeastern region.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the 1966 Mizo rebellion: 1. The rebellion was led by the Mizo National Front under the codename 'Operation Jericho'. 2. The Indian Air Force's use of air power was authorized after a helicopter carrying Lt Gen Manekshaw was directly targeted and shot down. 3. The IAF squadrons involved in the air strikes were the 29 Squadron flying Toofani aircraft and the 14 Squadron flying Hunter aircraft. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The article clearly states the MNF launched 'Operation Jericho'. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article clarifies that while a reconnaissance-cum-supply aircraft with Manekshaw was fired upon and received bullet hits, it was not shot down. Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions the two IAF squadrons and their aircraft types. Hence, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Q: According to the article, in which month and year did the Indian Air Force conduct air strikes against Mizo rebel positions around Aizawl?

March 1966, The article states that March 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Mizo rebellion and that the use of air power took place in March 1966. It mentions missions beginning on March 5 and details actions through March. The other options are distractors based on other significant years in Indian history.

Q: What was the primary military reason cited in the article for the Indian government's authorization of air strikes during the 1966 Mizo rebellion?

To dislodge rebels from entrenched positions after ground troops were held up., The article states that air power was authorized 'only when ground troops, led by 8 Sikh, found it impossible to dislodge rebels from their entrenched positions around Aizawl.' Lt Gen Mathew Thomas is also quoted saying they had to bring in the Air Force to strafe rebel positions to push into Aizawl. The other options are not supported by the article's text.

Security & Defence Culture & History PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains High

15 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:1966March 196629 Squadron14 Squadron61 Mountain Brigade

Bodies:Indian Air Force (IAF)Indian ArmyMinistry of DefenceAssam RiflesMizo National Front (MNF)Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA)

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.In March 1966, the Mizo National Front (MNF) launched Operation Jericho, successfully capturing Aizawl and declaring independence.

2.The Indian Army's ground assault, led by 61 Mountain Brigade, was stalled, leading to the IAF's authorization of air strikes using Toofani and Hunter aircraft from Bagdogra and Jorhat.

3.The event is a key case study for exams on internal security challenges, the use of air power in domestic conflicts, and the government's response to separatist movements.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The 60th anniversary of the 1966 Mizo Rebellion highlights a pivotal chapter in India's internal security history, involving the Mizo National Front's 'Operation Jericho' and the Indian Air Force's controversial use of air power to reclaim Aizawl. This event remains crucial for understanding the complexities of counter-insurgency operations and the evolution of civil-military relations in India.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Rebellion StartLate February 1966

Key OperationOperation Jericho by MNF

Air Strikes AuthorizedMarch 1966

IAF Squadrons29 Squadron (Toofani) & 14 Squadron (Hunter)

Army Brigade61 Mountain Brigade

Key Army Units8 Sikh, 5 Para, 2/11 Gorkha Rifles, 3 Bihar

Key CommanderBrig (later Maj Gen) Rustom Zal Kabraji

Defence Minister (1966)Y B Chavan

Home Minister (1966)Gulzari Lal Nanda

GOC-in-C Eastern CommandLt Gen SHFJ Manekshaw

1-Minute Revision

›Rebellion Start: Late February 1966
›Key Operation: Operation Jericho by MNF
›Target this Data: March 1966 (Month and Year of IAF air strikes)
›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Defence (the overseeing ministry for IAF operations)
›Target this Legal Point: Use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) - the legal framework often invoked in such internal security scenarios, though not explicitly mentioned in the article, is a key linkage.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

🌍

Operation Jericho

The Mizo National Front launched Operation Jericho in February 1966, overrunning Aizawl and declaring independence.

✈️

IAF's Controversial Role

The IAF conducted air strikes in March 1966 using Toofani and Hunter aircraft after ground troops were stalled, marking a rare use of air power internally.

💂

Military Response

The Indian Army's 61 Mountain Brigade, led by Brig Kabraji, fought through heavy opposition, with Aizawl eventually relieved by 8 Sikh and 5 Para battalions.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Mizo rebellion was rooted in ethnic separatism and discontent with central governance, exacerbated by the increased presence of Assam Rifles. The Mizo National Front (MNF), led by Laldenga, capitalized on this sentiment. Many rebels were ex-servicemen or dismissed Assam Regiment personnel, lending military precision to their operations, as noted in a CLAWS journal article by Ali Ahmad of IDSA.

Core Analysis & Implications

The government's decision to employ air power against its own citizens in Aizawl remains a highly controversial chapter. It set a precedent for the scale of force used in internal security operations. The event underscores the challenges of counter-insurgency, the ethical dilemmas of using air strikes domestically, and the long-term impact on Mizoram's integration, which was eventually resolved through the 1986 Mizo Peace Accord.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The 1966 rebellion and its aftermath are critical for understanding India's approach to regional conflicts, leading to policies emphasizing political negotiation alongside security measures. It informs current strategies in handling internal disturbances, highlighting the balance between forceful action and peaceful resolution, as seen in subsequent accords in the Northeast.

Key Facts at a Glance

Rebellion StartLate February 1966

Key OperationOperation Jericho by MNF

Air Strikes AuthorizedMarch 1966

IAF Squadrons29 Squadron (Toofani) & 14 Squadron (Hunter)

Army Brigade61 Mountain Brigade

Key Army Units8 Sikh, 5 Para, 2/11 Gorkha Rifles, 3 Bihar

Key CommanderBrig (later Maj Gen) Rustom Zal Kabraji

Defence Minister (1966)Y B Chavan

Home Minister (1966)Gulzari Lal Nanda

GOC-in-C Eastern CommandLt Gen SHFJ Manekshaw

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC

Which central armed police force, mentioned in the article, was a primary target of the Mizo National Front's attacks in 1966?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the 1966 Mizo rebellion:

1. The rebellion was led by the Mizo National Front under the codename 'Operation Jericho'.

2. The Indian Air Force's use of air power was authorized after a helicopter carrying Lt Gen Manekshaw was directly targeted and shot down.

3. The IAF squadrons involved in the air strikes were the 29 Squadron flying Toofani aircraft and the 14 Squadron flying Hunter aircraft.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the article, in which month and year did the Indian Air Force conduct air strikes against Mizo rebel positions around Aizawl?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What was the primary military reason cited in the article for the Indian government's authorization of air strikes during the 1966 Mizo rebellion?

All 25 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news

Explore Related Topics

Security & DefenceView Topic MCQs →Culture & HistoryView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →

PreviousECI Announces Assam Assembly Elections for 126 Seats on April 9, Counting on May 4 End of Digest Take Today's Quiz

Related Current Affairs

Security & Defence Current Affairs

Defence Production Hits ₹1.78 Lakh Cr, Exports Surge 5,500% Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat

India's defence production has surged nearly four-fold to ₹1.78 lakh crore, and exports have skyrocketed by over 5,500% to ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26. This marks a major milestone in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, with the government targeting ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. For UPSC/SSC/Banking aspirants, this is a high-yield topic covering defence indigenisation, budget trends, and export performance.

Polity Current Affairs

Karnataka HC Upholds 1.27 Acre Land Acquisition for DRDO's CAIR Project as National Security Imperative

Karnataka HC upheld acquisition of 1.27 acres for DRDO's CAIR project, overriding procedural lapses due to national security. This judgment harmonizes private property rights with constitutional duty to protect the nation.

Polity Current Affairs

NIA Charges Khurram Parvez, IPS Officer Under UAPA, PC Act, Official Secrets Act in J&K Terror Funding Case

A Delhi court has framed charges against human rights activist Khurram Parvez and IPS officer Arvind Negi under UAPA, PC Act, and Official Secrets Act for alleged terror funding and leaking secret documents to LeT operatives. This case is critical for understanding the interplay between national security laws, corruption, and the rights of the accused in terror-related investigations.

Security & Defence Current Affairs

MoD Signs ₹1,577 Cr Contracts for Loiter Munitions Under 'Buy Indian' Category

The Ministry of Defence has awarded contracts worth ₹1,577 crore to TASL and NIBE for 84 loiter munition systems with 840 munitions, boosting the Indian Army's precision-strike capability up to 100 km. This procurement under the 'Buy Indian' category with 60% indigenous content is a major step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.

Security & Defence Current Affairs

MoD Mandates Language Proficiency Evaluation for Defence Attachés; Exports Hit ₹38,424 Cr

The Ministry of Defence has mandated language proficiency evaluation for Defence Attachés posted abroad, signalling a strategic shift to leverage military diplomacy for boosting defence exports, which have surged 5,500% in 12 years to ₹38,424 crore. This reform aligns with India's target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029 and expansion of defence wings from 50 to over 70.

Security & Defence Current Affairs

PM Modi's 2026 I-Day Address Prioritises Aatmanirbhar Defence, Drones, Hypersonic Tech

PM Modi's 2026 Independence Day address pivots to next-generation defence: drones, counter-drone systems, hypersonic technology, and cybersecurity under Mission Sudarshan Chakra. With India's defence exports reaching about 100 countries, the address signals a shift from being a market for imports to a global supplier — a key theme for Prelims and Mains.

Security & Defence Current Affairs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Approves Transfer of DRDO Conventional Missile Tech to Indian Industry

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of DRDO-developed conventional missile system technologies to Indian defence industry for domestic production. This move aims to boost self-reliance, enhance MSME participation, and strengthen the defence industrial base under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

India-China Corps Commander Talks Resume in Arunachal Amid LAC Tensions Ahead of BRICS Summit

India and China held Corps Commander-level talks in Arunachal Pradesh to address ongoing LAC tensions. This is the first senior military-level dialogue in months, following a meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi. The talks gain significance as Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

25 Qs • 5-7 Mins

IAF's 1966 Aizawl Air Strikes Under Operation Jericho Mark 60th Anniversary of Mizo National Front Rebellion

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Operation Jericho

IAF's Controversial Role

Military Response

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance