New Delhi: Lauding the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for the well coordinated and surgically executed operation in Myanmar in which at least 20 terrorists were killed, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Colonel (retired) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ordered "hot pursuit".
Two rebel camps belonging to Northeast insurgent groups who had ambushed a convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur on June 4 were completely annihilated by the Indian Army inside Myanmar on Tuesday. Colonel (retired) Rathore said the surgical strike inside Myanmar was an "unprecedented" and "extremely bold" step by the government.
Asserting that attacks on Indians are not acceptable anywhere, the minister said that based on effective intelligence "we will carry out surgical strikes at the place and time of our own choosing".
Indian Army in hot pursuit of terrorists behind Manipur ambush, enters Myanmar, kills 20 Northeast insurgents
Asked whether such attacks could be carried out in the western border (Pakistan), he said that "western disturbances will also be equally dealt with". "Our PM ordered hot pursuit in which two camps were completely annihilated. While the army carried out the strike, helicopters were on stand-by," he said.
He said the operations were a message to all such neighbours who harbour terror groups and use them against India. "Friendship and zero tolerance will go hand in hand. This is a beginning. India is strong. This message should go to everyone," he said.
Asked whether Indian Army's operation had the support of the Myanmar Army and the government there, Rathore said, "Myanmar is a friendly nation and therefore there was complete cooperation, if the need required". The minister said the operation was carried by the Special Forces "entirely on their own".
To a question whether helicopters were used in the operation, he said, "We had many of the other forces waiting in readiness for any eventuality".
He also hinted that the hot pursuit inside Myanmar of Northeast terrorists mark a shift in India's strategy in dealing with such groups.
"I think it was the need of the hour as well, the entire nation wanted it and that's perhaps a reason why they voted a strong government at the Centre. It had become like a habit (for terrorists). It is not like a 'kushti' match that if you go back into your area nobody will catch you. This message is very critical that we will strike you wherever you are," he said.
"We suffered no casualties in this operation. The Army has strong capabilities and it needed an equally strong leader to take such a bold decision," he claimed.
Friendship and zero tolerance will go hand in hand, he said, adding, "This is a beginning. India is strong. This message should go to everyone".
The ambush on the 6 Dogra Regiment convoy, which was being deinducted from the area, was carried out by terror groups active on the Tengnoupal-New Samtal road between Paralong and Charong villages at about 9 AM, about 80 km from Manipur capital Imphal.
The army truck carrying soldiers and fuel was first hit by a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) following which the terrorists used rocket propelled grenades and automatic assault rifles to pin down the soldiers resulting in the heaviest casualty suffered by the force in over three decades. Eleven other soldiers were injured in the ambush.
Naga insurgent outfit Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-A (NSCN) along with Manipuri outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) claimed responsibility for the attack on the convoy.
Several Northeast terrors group have their camps in Myanmar and they routinely cross the porous border to enter Indian, and target security forces and civilians. After carrying out an attack, the terrorists slip back into Myanmar.
China and Pakistan have been using and arming the Northeast terror groups to foment trouble in the region.
(with PTI inputs)
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