Martyr Hussain Adam: A tale of extraordinary courage

36 years ago, on November 3, 1988, the people of the Maldivian capital woke to the unnatural sound of gunfire. The gunfire continued and the streets ran red with the blood of the slain as a massacre – the likes of which the peaceful island nation has never seen in recent history – unfolded before the eyes of its terrified people.

This massacre was orchestrated by a group of Maldivians who, with the aid of mercenaries from Tamil secessionist organization People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), sought to overthrow the Maldivian administration.

At the break of dawn, the insurgents launched a surprise attack on the military headquarters, Bandaara Koshi.

In the first line of defense was Martyr Corporal Hussain Adam, a 19-year-old soldier from the northern island of Kulhudhuffushi, who was posted to one of the two outdoor security posts responsible for the security of the main gate of the military headquarters.

When the insurgents approached to take over the headquarters, he immediately responded by shooting at them. It was the third time he shot a gun. He held the insurgents back until his gun ran out of bullets, and his bullet-riddled body lay slumped on the ground.

His heroic actions gave the soldiers inside the headquarters time to prepare a counterattack.

This is his story.

Childhood

Hussain Adam was born on February 28, 1968, to a couple from Kulhudhuffushi; Adam Mohamed of Meyvaage and Aishath Hassan – the daughter of Mudhimu Ibrahim.

He was born in and grew up in the family home of Meyvaage. He received his education locally, from the Ameer Ameen School. He was an average student academically, but showed exceptional physical prowess. He shone in cadet, and was also involved in swimming and athletics during his school life.

Towards the end of his school life, he had considered becoming a sailor.

But life had other, nobler plans for him.

Military enlistment

Hussain Adam was among 12 graduates of his school batch selected for military enlistment. He joined the military on May 9, 1984, at the tender age of 16.

The military training was rudimentary at the time. But Hussain Adam, with his background in cadet, showed exceptional prowess.

In 1986, Hussain Adam was selected for a special taskforce, and underwent specialized training at the military camp in K. Girifushi.

Hussain Adam initially served in the duty section – the unit in charge of security patrols. He served in this section up until June 6, 1987 – a year before the attack.

Hussain Adam had a passion for gunmanship. During his training at Girifushi, when he fired his first gun, he meticulously documented the experience in a book.

First experience shooting a gun

On May 4, 1985, Hussain Adam was given six bullets to use for target practice during basic training in Girifushi. He shot four out of six on target.

His second experience shooting a gun came a year later on May 5, 1986, during specialized training in Girifushi. He shot three on target.

The third time he shot a gun was in response to enemy fire, on November 3, 1988.

November 3, 1988

The attack on November 3, 1988, was orchestrated by Abdulla Luthfee of H. Haajaraage in K. Male’, and Sagar Ahmed Nasir of Paris Holiday in S. Hithadhoo. They carried out the attack by hiring mercenaries from PLOTE.

They arrived in Male’ on two ships; T 52 and Southwest 37. The group of some 80 armed mercenaries were led by Vasanthi, a PLOTE commander. They planned to mount a surprise three-point ambush on Bandaara Koshi, quickly taking over the military headquarters. The next phase of the attack plan was to capture government leaders and take over the government.

At 04:15 am, the sound of a gunshot pierced the calm and tranquility of the dawn. One of the mercenaries had misfired his weapon as he got off the ship. This immediately alerted Hussain Adam, who stood guarding the main gate of Bandaara Koshi. A moment later, armed men in shorts swarmed outside the headquarters and opened fire. Hussain Adam immediately identified them for the enemies they were the moment they came rushing in. He loaded his AK47 rifle and immediately returned fire.

This resistance wasn’t something the mercenaries expected to encounter.

Hussain Adam’s first shots were instinctive. Then his training kicked in, and he began firing at the mercenaries in a strategic manner, aware that he cannot afford to waste a single bullet. He had every opportunity to flee inside the headquarters, but went into one of the two outdoor security posts – the one on the west – all the while continuing to return fire.

He communicated with the soldiers inside the headquarters, keeping them appraised of enemy movements.

Hussain Adam’s shots prevented the mercenaries coming any closer and foiled their attempt to breach the Bandaara Koshi from the main gate.

They took cover inside the compound of the Dhoshimeynaa Building which was located where the Republic Square is currently situated. They placed their weapons on the boundary wall of the building and began firing at Hussain Adam. He and the mercenaries were separated by just the width of the street.

Ten minutes in, one of the bullets hit his arm. He yelled out at the soldiers inside that he had been hit, and was now on his second and last magazine. He asked the soldiers for extra magazines.

However, the headquarters did not have any access to the outdoor security post he was in. The only way in and out was from the outside of the building. There was no clear path to open the gates and supply him with the magazines he needed.

The soldiers inside told Hussain Adam that there was no way to supply the magazines. They asked him to try to make his way to the gates. They said they would open the gates if he could manage that.

But Hussain Adam did not have enough bullets left to fire at the mercenaries and clear a path to the gates.

At this heartbreaking moment, a bullet hit his magazine, rendering his rifle useless. More bullets soon riddled his body and he lay fallen a martyr.

Hussain Adam’s heroic actions bought the soldiers inside the headquarters sufficient time to take weapons from the armory, arm themselves, and prepare for a counterattack.

Soldiers began firing from the roof of Bandaara Koshi. A ground of soldiers sneaked out of the headquarters. Some of them took position on the roof of the nearby police office and began firing on the mercenaries, while others made their way to check the situation in the streets.

Vasanthi, the commander of the mercenaries, was killed by the soldiers.

National hero

Hussain Adam sacrificed his life defending the gates of the military headquarters and giving the soldiers time to mount a counterattack.

He, with his display of extraordinary courage and presence of mind, played a pivotal role in defeating the insurgents. He is celebrated today as one of the national heroes of Maldives.

On November 4, 1988, Hussain Adam posthumously received a double promotion, moving from the rank of Private to Corporal. The was also awarded the Medal for Exceptional Bravery (Huravee Ran Medal) and the Purple Heart (Jihaadhuge Raiy Medal).