7. Army's 'Operation Aman' Pays Dividends, 10 March, 2002, Times of India

AHMEDABAD: No sooner did the men in green fatigues land on Gujarat's soil, communal violence receded instantly and confidence was instilled among peace lovers across the state.

Army troops that were airlifted and deployed under 'Operation Aman' from neighbouring Rajasthan and other centres to assist civil administration in many riot-ravaged areas on March 1, brought back peace in the state immediately on their arrival.

The western region defence spokesman Major Thomas Xavier said the Army deployed 26 columns in the entire state, consisting of approximately 120 troops with necessary weapons, equipment, transport and communication facilities. Ahmedabad, which was shaken due to uninterrupted violence for two consecutive days, was given 12 columns, Surat (3), Vadodara (2), Rajkot (2) and one each were deployed at Bhavnagar, Santrampur, Lunavada, Godhra, Ghoghanba and Halol.

"Since troops were deployed at riot-affected areas, no incidents of violence was reported," says the spokesperson.

Besides help from civil administration, the Air Force was pressed into service to airlift the troops to riot-affected areas to contain the violence. As many as 52 sorties of transport aircraft were carried out for airlifting of troops, stores and equipment across the state.

"Army is committed to its role of assisting civil administration in maintaining peace," adds Xavier, who had specially come over to Gujarat in the wake deployment of troops for peace mission.