After NSCN(K) escalated hostilities against the security forces by launching back-to-back offensives against jawans of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday and Sunday respectively, India is likely to seek Myanmar’s permission for “hot pursuit” and neutralising of the terrorists operating in the North-East from its territory. It means the Indian security forces can enter Myanmar while chasing militants and take action against them.
The Army can only operate in the Indian territory now. Militants exploit this by taking refuge in the training camps located across the International Border (IB) with Myanmar after carrying out terrorist strikes in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
In fact, the militants responsible for the most deadly attack on the Army convoy in the last two decades in Manipur on Thursday last are also believed to have escaped into the neighbouring country as the ambush site was only 15 to 20 km from the IB. While the Army, along with para-military forces, has stepped up its counteroffensive against the militants of NSCN(K), KYKl and KlA besides sealing the 1,463-km unfenced border, the Central Government will also activate diplomatic channels, officials said here on Sunday.
Besides urging Myanmar to take action against the terrorist outfits operating from there against India, New Delhi will also seek Myanmar’s nod for “hot pursuit”. Explaining the need for such a concession, officials said any action on foreign soil in the absence of such an agreement will tantamount to encroaching into the rights of a sovereign country, leading to diplomatic embarrassment.
Scores of training camps of NSCN(K) and Manipur militant outfits are located across the Irrawaddy River close to the IB. The terrain on both sides of the border is hilly with thick jungles, posing a challenge to the security forces to go after the militants.
They train in these jungles and are well versed with the topography. It is easy for them to dodge the security dragnet on the Indian side before escaping into Myanmar, officials said.
The Army has intensified aggressive patrolling in the militancy-prone areas besides carrying out area domination drills to deny terrorists the space and time to operate. Aided by Intelligence agencies and local police, the security forces are also going after known cadres in Nagaland and Manipur and have increased vigil on the Nagaland-Manipur border.
The Army has also launched “seek and destroy” missions and inducted specially trained para-commandos adept in jungle fighting in Chandel district and adjoining areas where the ambush took place, officials said. Moreover, Assam Rifles, which is the lead para-military force in the North-East to ensure peace, has fanned out in remote areas of Nagaland and Manipur to flush out militants. This move will help the security forces in nabbing ultras once they are on the run.