Inside story: Over 100 northeast militants may have been killed in Army's Myanmar operations
Bold operation by Indian Army to avenge Manipur attack
NEW DELHI: Indian Army's surgical strike deep inside Myanmar, bordering Manipur, lasted for about 45 minutes and over 100 northeast militants may have been killed in the operation, a ministry of home affairs source told TOI.
Army's strike against militants was so precise that latter had no chance to recover from first burst of fire. Indian Army forces faced no retaliation and not a single shot was fired by militants.
Six injured rebels are admitted in a hospital.
Myanmar has since cordoned off the area where Indian Army undertook operations against northeast insurgents.
On Nagaland border too, Army's special forces pursued militants into Myanmar and killed 15 insurgents.
The Myanmar government was informed hours after the commandos in battle fatigues had mostly completed surgical strikes against the groups which had over the past couple of weeks killed 30 Indian soldiers. The operation, conceived as retaliation as well as the declaration of Modi government's intent to strike at terror threats across its borders, had begun at 3am but the Indian ambassador could pass on the information to Myanmar's foreign ministry only after their offices opened at regular hours on Tuesday morning.
The commandos safely returned to Indian territory after silencing the insurgents' guns.
IAF choppers and drones assisted the SF (special forces) soldiers.
READ ALSO: Cross-border swoopdown a message to Pakistan?
Myanmar hot pursuit signals massive change in India's strategy
Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told Times Now that the hot pursuit was ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said attacks on Indians, be it in Iraq or Yemen, were unacceptable. "This is a message to neighbours who harbour terrorists," Rathore said.
Announcing the success, the government made it clear that it was not a one-off operation but symbolized its decision not to be constrained by borders and to be pre-emptive in dealing with terror threats. "While ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and in the border states, any threat to our security, safety and national integrity will meet a firm response," the Army declared officially, a posture that is also applicable to terror groups sheltered by other neighbouring countries.
The troops were guided to two camps of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and allied insurgent groups by intelligence which was gathered by operatives who crossed over into Myanmar a couple of days ago and returned with precise co-ordinates of the terror dens along with photographs.
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(Army's statement on operations along Indo-Myanmar border in Nagaland and Manipur. Source: MoD/Twitter)
The daring raid, which saw commandos crawling hundreds of meters to raid the camps, marked the unveiling of India's new response to unconventional threats irrespective of where they come from. This was the first declared instance of the use of the doctrine of pre-emption: a principle that the US invokes to disregard constraints of national borders to nip threats.
Briefing the reporters after the successful strikes on the camps at two separate locations across Tuensang in Nagaland and Ukhrul in Manipur, Major General Ranbir Singh made no bones of the fact that the twin operations were provoked by the killing of Indian soldiers. More importantly, he said the Army had to move in view of "credible and specific" intelligence about more attacks inside India. "These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies," said General Singh, additional director general of military operations.
"In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary," he said.
Government sources said the political leadership cleared the cross-border pursuit because it was considered necessary to lift the morale of the Army after it lost 30 of its men in 3 attacks by insurgents, as well as to send across a message to "perpetrators of terror wherever they are".
Explaining Modi government's new stance towards terror threat, a senior official told TOI: "You cannot realistically hope to prevent each terror attack because the timing and the target is determined by the enemy. But how do you respond is your prerogative. And it is the response which defines your determination to use all responses at your disposal to strike at those responsible."
Army's strike against militants was so precise that latter had no chance to recover from first burst of fire. Indian Army forces faced no retaliation and not a single shot was fired by militants.
Six injured rebels are admitted in a hospital.
Myanmar has since cordoned off the area where Indian Army undertook operations against northeast insurgents.
On Nagaland border too, Army's special forces pursued militants into Myanmar and killed 15 insurgents.
The Myanmar government was informed hours after the commandos in battle fatigues had mostly completed surgical strikes against the groups which had over the past couple of weeks killed 30 Indian soldiers. The operation, conceived as retaliation as well as the declaration of Modi government's intent to strike at terror threats across its borders, had begun at 3am but the Indian ambassador could pass on the information to Myanmar's foreign ministry only after their offices opened at regular hours on Tuesday morning.
The commandos safely returned to Indian territory after silencing the insurgents' guns.
IAF choppers and drones assisted the SF (special forces) soldiers.
READ ALSO: Cross-border swoopdown a message to Pakistan?
Myanmar hot pursuit signals massive change in India's strategy
Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told Times Now that the hot pursuit was ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said attacks on Indians, be it in Iraq or Yemen, were unacceptable. "This is a message to neighbours who harbour terrorists," Rathore said.
Announcing the success, the government made it clear that it was not a one-off operation but symbolized its decision not to be constrained by borders and to be pre-emptive in dealing with terror threats. "While ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and in the border states, any threat to our security, safety and national integrity will meet a firm response," the Army declared officially, a posture that is also applicable to terror groups sheltered by other neighbouring countries.
The troops were guided to two camps of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and allied insurgent groups by intelligence which was gathered by operatives who crossed over into Myanmar a couple of days ago and returned with precise co-ordinates of the terror dens along with photographs.
(Army's statement on operations along Indo-Myanmar border in Nagaland and Manipur. Source: MoD/Twitter)
The daring raid, which saw commandos crawling hundreds of meters to raid the camps, marked the unveiling of India's new response to unconventional threats irrespective of where they come from. This was the first declared instance of the use of the doctrine of pre-emption: a principle that the US invokes to disregard constraints of national borders to nip threats.
Briefing the reporters after the successful strikes on the camps at two separate locations across Tuensang in Nagaland and Ukhrul in Manipur, Major General Ranbir Singh made no bones of the fact that the twin operations were provoked by the killing of Indian soldiers. More importantly, he said the Army had to move in view of "credible and specific" intelligence about more attacks inside India. "These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies," said General Singh, additional director general of military operations.
"In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary," he said.
Government sources said the political leadership cleared the cross-border pursuit because it was considered necessary to lift the morale of the Army after it lost 30 of its men in 3 attacks by insurgents, as well as to send across a message to "perpetrators of terror wherever they are".
Explaining Modi government's new stance towards terror threat, a senior official told TOI: "You cannot realistically hope to prevent each terror attack because the timing and the target is determined by the enemy. But how do you respond is your prerogative. And it is the response which defines your determination to use all responses at your disposal to strike at those responsible."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Inside-story-Over-100-northeast-militants-may-have-been-killed-in-Armys-Myanmar-operations/articleshow/47609757.cms?prtpage=1
Myanmar hot pursuit signals massive change in India’s strategy
Bold operation by Indian Army to avenge Manipur attack
NEW DELHI: Para commandos of the Indian Army carried out surgical operations deep inside Myanmar early on Tuesday and killed several militants in two camps of northeastern insurgent groups in a covert operation which declared India's new-found readiness to pre-empt terror threats undeterred by borders.
The Myanmar government was informed hours after the commandos in battle fatigues had mostly completed surgical strikes against the groups which had over the past couple of weeks killed 30 Indian soldiers. The operation, conceived as retaliation as well as the declaration of Modi government's intent to strike at terror threats across its borders, had begun at 3am but the Indian ambassador could pass on the information to Myanmar's foreign ministry only after their offices opened at regular hours on Tuesday morning.
READ ALSO: How NSA planned Myanmar Op
The commandos safely returned to Indian territory after silencing the insurgents' guns in a 13 hour-operation in which IAF choppers and drones assisted the SF (special forces) soldiers.
Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told Times Now that the hot pursuit was ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said attacks on Indians, be it in Iraq or Yemen, were unacceptable. "This is a message to neighbours who harbour terrorists," Rathore said.
Announcing the success, the government made it clear that it was not a one-off operation but symbolized its decision not to be constrained by borders and to be pre-emptive in dealing with terror threats. "While ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and in the border states, any threat to our security, safety and national integrity will meet a firm response," the Army declared officially, a posture that is also applicable to terror groups sheltered by other neighbouring countries.
![]()
The troops were guided to two camps of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and allied insurgent groups by intelligence which was gathered by operatives who crossed over into Myanmar a couple of days ago and returned with precise co-ordinates of the terror dens along with photographs.
READ ALSO: NIA registers case against NSCN (K) for Manipur ambush
Specific details of the fatalities among the insurgents were not available but sources in home and defence ministries put the toll between 20 and 50.
More than the toll, the daring raid, which saw commandos crawling hundreds of meters to raid the camps, marked the unveiling of India's new response to unconventional threats irrespective of where they come from. This was the first declared instance of the use of the doctrine of pre-emption: a principle that the US invokes to disregard constraints of national borders to nip threats.
Briefing the reporters after the successful strikes on the camps at two separate locations across Tuensang in Nagaland and Ukhrul in Manipur, Major General Ranbir Singh made no bones of the fact that the twin operations were provoked by the killing of Indian soldiers. More importantly, he said the Army had to move in view of "credible and specific" intelligence about more attacks inside India. "These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies," said General Singh, additional director general of military operations.
"In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary," he said.
The General dropped big enough a hint that India had acted unilaterally and that Myanmar was brought into the picture much after the commandos struck the terror camps. The official statement conspicuously refrained from stating that the operation was a joint effort with Myanmar Army and very much suggested that the neighbouring country was just informed of the action and that too well after it had begun. "We are in communication with Myanmar authorities on this matter. There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism," he said.
Interestingly, India had an agreement with Myanmar to allow troops to enter each other's territory in search of terrorists, but with consent. However, for Tuesday morning operation, government did not inform Myanmar in advance fearing possible leak of information, given the close contact NSCN (K) has with middle and lower level of Myanmar army.
Government sources said the political leadership cleared the cross-border pursuit because it was considered necessary to lift the morale of the Army after it lost 30 of its men in 3 attacks by insurgents, as well as to send across a message to "perpetrators of terror wherever they are".
Explaining Modi government's new stance towards terror threat, a senior official told TOI: "You cannot realistically hope to prevent each terror attack because the timing and the target is determined by the enemy. But how do you respond is your prerogative. And it is the response which defines your determination to use all responses at your disposal to strike at those responsible."
The cross-border pursuit was in line with Modi government's decision to give disproportionate response to provocations, which had been visible in Jammu & Kashmir in recent months, where Indian troops have been aggressive in their response to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
READ ALSO: Cross-border swoopdown a message to Pakistan?
Militants belonging to NSCN (K) and KYKL (Meitei Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup) were killed in the operation in which Indian troops suffered no casualties. Technical intercepts and reconnaissance missions confirmed the presence of the militants in the two camps, which was kept under surveillance by air force UAVs for hours. Once they were sure of the inputs and with political clearance, Indian Air Force helicopters dropped para commandos deep inside Myanmar late Monday night.
"Following the attack on our security personnel on June 4, 2015 in Chandel, Manipur, we have been on a high alert. In the course of the last few days, credible and specific intelligence was received about further attacks that were being planned within our territory," Gen Singh said.
Gen Singh said the Indian Army troops "engaged two separate groups of insurgents along the Nagaland and Manipur borders" and "significant casualties have been inflicted on them".
Commandos from the Army's SF units have been operating in northeast for the past several weeks, carrying out surgical strikes on militant hideouts. There has been a steady flow of intelligence in recent days about militant groups, under NSCN (K) leadership and with safe havens in Myanmar, stepping up their plans to carry out attacks on security forces. In fact, intelligence agencies suspect that there could be more attacks in the coming days.
Of its 1500 cadres, NSCN (K) has about a 1000 of them in Myanmar. Many are sheltered in about half-dozen camps closer to the Indian border, while its leadership and most cadres are based in Taga area of Myanmar.Some intelligence inputs have said that Chinese PLA officers played a role in bringing together various insurgent groups in northeast together for a meeting in April in Taga area. Though only three outfits signed the pact announcing the United National Liberation Front of West South East Asia - NSCN(K), ULFA faction headed by Paresh Baruah and Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) - several others agreed verbally to work together
The Myanmar government was informed hours after the commandos in battle fatigues had mostly completed surgical strikes against the groups which had over the past couple of weeks killed 30 Indian soldiers. The operation, conceived as retaliation as well as the declaration of Modi government's intent to strike at terror threats across its borders, had begun at 3am but the Indian ambassador could pass on the information to Myanmar's foreign ministry only after their offices opened at regular hours on Tuesday morning.
READ ALSO: How NSA planned Myanmar Op
The commandos safely returned to Indian territory after silencing the insurgents' guns in a 13 hour-operation in which IAF choppers and drones assisted the SF (special forces) soldiers.
Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told Times Now that the hot pursuit was ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said attacks on Indians, be it in Iraq or Yemen, were unacceptable. "This is a message to neighbours who harbour terrorists," Rathore said.
Announcing the success, the government made it clear that it was not a one-off operation but symbolized its decision not to be constrained by borders and to be pre-emptive in dealing with terror threats. "While ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and in the border states, any threat to our security, safety and national integrity will meet a firm response," the Army declared officially, a posture that is also applicable to terror groups sheltered by other neighbouring countries.
The troops were guided to two camps of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and allied insurgent groups by intelligence which was gathered by operatives who crossed over into Myanmar a couple of days ago and returned with precise co-ordinates of the terror dens along with photographs.
READ ALSO: NIA registers case against NSCN (K) for Manipur ambush
Specific details of the fatalities among the insurgents were not available but sources in home and defence ministries put the toll between 20 and 50.
More than the toll, the daring raid, which saw commandos crawling hundreds of meters to raid the camps, marked the unveiling of India's new response to unconventional threats irrespective of where they come from. This was the first declared instance of the use of the doctrine of pre-emption: a principle that the US invokes to disregard constraints of national borders to nip threats.
Briefing the reporters after the successful strikes on the camps at two separate locations across Tuensang in Nagaland and Ukhrul in Manipur, Major General Ranbir Singh made no bones of the fact that the twin operations were provoked by the killing of Indian soldiers. More importantly, he said the Army had to move in view of "credible and specific" intelligence about more attacks inside India. "These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies," said General Singh, additional director general of military operations.
"In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary," he said.
The General dropped big enough a hint that India had acted unilaterally and that Myanmar was brought into the picture much after the commandos struck the terror camps. The official statement conspicuously refrained from stating that the operation was a joint effort with Myanmar Army and very much suggested that the neighbouring country was just informed of the action and that too well after it had begun. "We are in communication with Myanmar authorities on this matter. There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism," he said.
Interestingly, India had an agreement with Myanmar to allow troops to enter each other's territory in search of terrorists, but with consent. However, for Tuesday morning operation, government did not inform Myanmar in advance fearing possible leak of information, given the close contact NSCN (K) has with middle and lower level of Myanmar army.
Government sources said the political leadership cleared the cross-border pursuit because it was considered necessary to lift the morale of the Army after it lost 30 of its men in 3 attacks by insurgents, as well as to send across a message to "perpetrators of terror wherever they are".
Explaining Modi government's new stance towards terror threat, a senior official told TOI: "You cannot realistically hope to prevent each terror attack because the timing and the target is determined by the enemy. But how do you respond is your prerogative. And it is the response which defines your determination to use all responses at your disposal to strike at those responsible."
The cross-border pursuit was in line with Modi government's decision to give disproportionate response to provocations, which had been visible in Jammu & Kashmir in recent months, where Indian troops have been aggressive in their response to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
READ ALSO: Cross-border swoopdown a message to Pakistan?
Militants belonging to NSCN (K) and KYKL (Meitei Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup) were killed in the operation in which Indian troops suffered no casualties. Technical intercepts and reconnaissance missions confirmed the presence of the militants in the two camps, which was kept under surveillance by air force UAVs for hours. Once they were sure of the inputs and with political clearance, Indian Air Force helicopters dropped para commandos deep inside Myanmar late Monday night.
"Following the attack on our security personnel on June 4, 2015 in Chandel, Manipur, we have been on a high alert. In the course of the last few days, credible and specific intelligence was received about further attacks that were being planned within our territory," Gen Singh said.
Gen Singh said the Indian Army troops "engaged two separate groups of insurgents along the Nagaland and Manipur borders" and "significant casualties have been inflicted on them".
Commandos from the Army's SF units have been operating in northeast for the past several weeks, carrying out surgical strikes on militant hideouts. There has been a steady flow of intelligence in recent days about militant groups, under NSCN (K) leadership and with safe havens in Myanmar, stepping up their plans to carry out attacks on security forces. In fact, intelligence agencies suspect that there could be more attacks in the coming days.
Of its 1500 cadres, NSCN (K) has about a 1000 of them in Myanmar. Many are sheltered in about half-dozen camps closer to the Indian border, while its leadership and most cadres are based in Taga area of Myanmar.Some intelligence inputs have said that Chinese PLA officers played a role in bringing together various insurgent groups in northeast together for a meeting in April in Taga area. Though only three outfits signed the pact announcing the United National Liberation Front of West South East Asia - NSCN(K), ULFA faction headed by Paresh Baruah and Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) - several others agreed verbally to work together
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Myanmar-hot-pursuit-signals-massive-change-in-Indias-strategy/articleshow/47606735.cms
Meet the commandol forces of India 10 June 2015
The Para commandos carried out two surgical strikes across the border in Myanmar early on Tuesday. They are among the finest kept secrets of the Indian Army. Here is a comprehensive list of all commando forces of our nation:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Meet-the-commando-forces-of-india/listshow/47608842.cms
India's sensational cross-border raid
Bold operation by Indian Army to avenge Manipur attack
NEW DELHI: India's sensational, and successful, cross-border raid in Myanmar is not likely to go unnoticed in its neighbourhood, especially across its western border where Pakistan has long been preparing to thwart a similar surgical strike by developing tactical or non-strategic nuclear weapons.
Whether or not India can carry out such a strike on Pakistan territory is a question likely to be debated with much enthusiasm after the Myanmar swoop down. The government will also be under pressure to retaliate similarly if another Mumbai like attack takes place anywhere in India.
It was in response to India's so called cold start doctrine that Pakistan started to focus on acquiring smaller, low-yield or what are called tactical nuclear weapons to deter Indian troops from entering its territory. The cold start, which the Indian army has never publicly acknowledged, envisages counterattack across the border within hours of a terror attack to neutralise terror groups and camps. Unlike Myanmar, Pakistan will look upon such an incursion as an assault on its sovereignty.
READ ALSO
From Sierra Leone to Sri Lanka, Para Commandos have earned laurels across continents
Myanmar hot pursuit signals massive change in India's strategy
Manipur ambush: Army strikes back at northeast militants inside Myanmar, kills 15
Manipur ambush: NIA registers case against NSCN (K)
Army launches massive hunt operation in Manipur against militants after deadliest attack in 33 years
It was after the Mumbai attacks that Pakistan intensified its attempts to develop these non-strategic weapons. In a 2012 report, US nuclear expert Hans M Kristensen identified Pakistan as among the 5 countries which either had or were developing tactical nukes, the others being China, Russia, France and US.
As the Indian Army confirmed in its announcement, the attack was not just retaliatory, with 18 army men being killed by rebels in Manipur last week, but also pre-emptive in nature as those eliminated were said to have been planning more attacks in India. The sui generis nature of the cross-border raid has given rise to suggestions that India under Modi may be veering towards former US president George Bush's doctrine of pre-emption which was accommodative of unilateral military action.
In the case of Pakistan though, what is of serious concern to India is the fact that along with its tactical nukes Pakistan has also simultaneously developed the short-range, nuclear capable Nasr missile.
According to Kristensen, Nasr seemed intended for use against any likely invasion by Indian troops which Pakistan may not be able to stonewall through its conventional capabilities. The ballistic missile can fire up to 60 kilometres and can be launched from a mobile twin-canister.
"Following its first test launch in April 2011, the Pakistani military news organization, Inter Services Public Relations, described the Nasr as carrying a nuclear warhead 'of appropriate yield with high accuracy', with 'shoot and scoot attributes' that was developed as a quick response system to 'add deterrence value' to Pakistan's strategic weapons development programme 'at shorter ranges' in order 'to deter evolving threats'," Kristensen had said in his report.
Whether or not India can carry out such a strike on Pakistan territory is a question likely to be debated with much enthusiasm after the Myanmar swoop down. The government will also be under pressure to retaliate similarly if another Mumbai like attack takes place anywhere in India.
It was in response to India's so called cold start doctrine that Pakistan started to focus on acquiring smaller, low-yield or what are called tactical nuclear weapons to deter Indian troops from entering its territory. The cold start, which the Indian army has never publicly acknowledged, envisages counterattack across the border within hours of a terror attack to neutralise terror groups and camps. Unlike Myanmar, Pakistan will look upon such an incursion as an assault on its sovereignty.
READ ALSO
From Sierra Leone to Sri Lanka, Para Commandos have earned laurels across continents
Myanmar hot pursuit signals massive change in India's strategy
Manipur ambush: Army strikes back at northeast militants inside Myanmar, kills 15
Manipur ambush: NIA registers case against NSCN (K)
Army launches massive hunt operation in Manipur against militants after deadliest attack in 33 years
It was after the Mumbai attacks that Pakistan intensified its attempts to develop these non-strategic weapons. In a 2012 report, US nuclear expert Hans M Kristensen identified Pakistan as among the 5 countries which either had or were developing tactical nukes, the others being China, Russia, France and US.
As the Indian Army confirmed in its announcement, the attack was not just retaliatory, with 18 army men being killed by rebels in Manipur last week, but also pre-emptive in nature as those eliminated were said to have been planning more attacks in India. The sui generis nature of the cross-border raid has given rise to suggestions that India under Modi may be veering towards former US president George Bush's doctrine of pre-emption which was accommodative of unilateral military action.
In the case of Pakistan though, what is of serious concern to India is the fact that along with its tactical nukes Pakistan has also simultaneously developed the short-range, nuclear capable Nasr missile.
According to Kristensen, Nasr seemed intended for use against any likely invasion by Indian troops which Pakistan may not be able to stonewall through its conventional capabilities. The ballistic missile can fire up to 60 kilometres and can be launched from a mobile twin-canister.
"Following its first test launch in April 2011, the Pakistani military news organization, Inter Services Public Relations, described the Nasr as carrying a nuclear warhead 'of appropriate yield with high accuracy', with 'shoot and scoot attributes' that was developed as a quick response system to 'add deterrence value' to Pakistan's strategic weapons development programme 'at shorter ranges' in order 'to deter evolving threats'," Kristensen had said in his report.