India-Myanmar joint operation hits NE insurgent camps along border
In a joint operation conducted over three weeks, the armies of India and Myanmar destroyed several insurgent camps set up by Northeast-based terrorist groups inside Myanmar, defense sources said on Sunday. India and Myanmar conducted the co-ordinated operation on either side of their respective borders, targeting the terrorist groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam. Reportedly, 70-80 terrorists were apprehended. Here are more details.
In the second phase of 'Operation Sunrise'- conducted between May 16-June 8- the Indian and Myanmar forces destroyed seven to eight camps of terror groups including NSCN-K, NDFB, ULFA(I), KLO and NEFT in Myanmar's Sagaing Region. Reportedly, Myanmar Army claimed two terrorists were killed in the operation. Most of the camps were in Hokayat and belong to Naga rebel group NSCN-K.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang or NSCN-K is a nationalist insurgency group led by Khango Konyak. In March 2015, it abrogated ceasefire with the Indian government, signed in 2001. However, it continues to maintain its ceasefire agreement with Myanmar since 2012.
According to TIE, while the North West Army Command of the Myanmar Army conducted clearance action by mortar firing, two battalions of the Indian Army joined hands with the Special Forces, Assam Rifles and infantry Ghataks set blocks on the Indian side of the border apprehending the terrorists. Reportedly, the two armies co-ordinated through liaison officers communicating with headquarters of the other army.
According to sources, the Indian and Myanmarese forces were mindful of staying off each others' territories and also utilized satellite imagery, Thuraya telephones, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sweeps and aerial surveillance through helicopters, to conduct the operation, the publication reported.
A government official told TIE that the operation was "possible due to trust generated between the two armies by Operation Sunshine-1." The official called it a success, adding that "the valid grouse that Myanmar Army held after the 2015 cross-border strike of violating their sovereignty when we hit at an NSCN-K camp has also been laid to rest with a coordinated approach."
The first phase of 'Operation Sunrise' was conducted between February 22-26 along the Indo-Myanmar border. Several Northeast-based terrorist groups were busted during the operation. On Indian soil, the Indian Army targeted rebels of the Arakan Army, who opposed the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, while fleeing terrorists were arrested by Myanmarese forces on their side, TIE reported.
The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project involves connecting the Kolkata seaport and the star of Mizoram with the Sittwe seaport in Rakhine, through a sea-river-road route. Once completed, it would act as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. The Aizawl-Saiha National Highway is being extended by 90kms to the Zorinpui international border. India and Myanmar entered a framework agreement for the project in April 2008.
Reportedly, India, which share a 1,640-km border with Myanmar, might even launch an 'Operation Sunrise-3' depending on the ground situation and intelligence inputs. According to TIE, Myanmarese forces would remain in the region to ensure that the terrorists don't regroup during monsoon. Meanwhile, the Indian Army will offer logistic support to Myanmarese soldiers in Sagaing, including, special rations and food supplies.
Last month, two soldiers of the Assam Rifles were killed while four others were wounded in an ambush by the NSCN(K) along the Indo-Myanmar border. Reportedly, NSCN(K) first flagged the joint operation on May 27 and claimed it was a "war-like situation," TIE reported. Security agencies report that until last year, there were over 50 camps of Northeastern terrorist groups in Myanmar.
