Coup bid in Maldives

1988 - India rushed troops to the Maldives islands to save President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (above) from mercenaries who seized the capital in a coup attempt that left at least 12 people dead and 100 injured. Indian paratroopers departed aboard military transport planes to Male. Sri Lankan sources said several ministers were captured by the raiders, but they failed to catch Gayoom, who was scheduled to be sworn in next week to a third term as president.