We never went through this kind of [conflict] or anything. The police at the time were mobilized against the Maoists. Then in 1998, the army was mobilized and we created an initial plan.
We believed that we should try and neutralize the hardcore members but at the same time address the basic issues: socio-economic, advancement of the people, etc. We followed a particular American model because we were all trained over the years by American Special Forces.
But then the political decision was made by our government that the army would stay in their barracks and the police would continue to counter the Maoists. I spent eight months on the ground ready to deploy and proceed with our initial plan.
But nothing. No action. Eventually though the army got involved as the conflict continued and the army was getting attacked nearly on a daily basis, with the Maoists trying to draw us into the fight. too. So you can say that the army did not actually go to war. It got forced into the campaign.
Read more of the General's interview in Speaking Their Peace.