A day after ruling out any talks with the outlawed NDFB, the Centre has decided to launch joint operations against the militant outfit with the Armies of Bhutan and Myanmar as part of its all-out offensive to eliminate the group.
NDFB(S) was involved in the killing of more than 70 tribals in Assam’s Bodo area over the last four days. This flushing out operation against the NDFB terrorists hiding in dense forests of Bhutan and Myanmar is expected to start soon on the lines of operations conducted against UlFA in 2003-04.Details of this joint operation were discussed in a meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Army chief General Dalbir Singh on Friday. “We are definitely going to intensify our operations in Assam,” Gen Suhag said after the meeting. He is expected to visit Assam on Saturday.
The Home Minister discussed the issue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who spoke to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay seeking assistance against the terror group. “We will contact our friends in the neighbouring countries. EAM has talked to the Bhutanese leadership at the highest level. We are also working on having others, who could possibly help in this,” said Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs. Akbaruddin added that the issue came up following possible leads which indicated that there may be others beyond Indian borders where India would require assistance while adding that the Government “will go after anyone who has harmed the security of India.”
The borders with Bhutan and Myanmar have been sealed to prevent transit or sneaking of NDFB militants. Suhag said 66 Army columns (70 personnel in each column) have been deployed in Assam under the GoC of the 4 Corps, which heads the Unified Command for counter-insurgency operations in Assam. Indo-Bhutan border guarding force, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has also rushed 2,000 personnel to the State. “We have sent 20 more companies to these areas. We are trying to enhance border guarding along this area,” said SSB chief BD Sharma.