Indian Army conducts surgical strikes in Myanmar: Inside details

The Army's joint operation with the Air Force to carry out surgical strikes in Myanmar against Northeast militant groups has sent out a strong message across the region. The 'hot pursuit' came days after 18 Army soldiers were killed in a militant strike in Manipur's Chandel district.

Indian Army conducts surgical strikes in Myanmar: Inside details
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New Delhi: The Army's joint operation with the Air Force to carry out surgical strikes in Myanmar against Northeast militant groups has sent out a strong message across the region. The 'hot pursuit' came days after 18 Army soldiers were killed in a militant strike in Manipur's Chandel district.

But how did the entire operation unfold?

The entire operation was planned meticulously days in advance with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag camping in Manipur and monitoring the preparation of the blueprint at the minuscule level.

In fact, NSA Doval did not even accompany Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh during his recent visit and instead focussed his energies on planning the surgical operation – the first of its kind conducted by the Indian armed forces.

The Army Chief is also believed to have postponed his UK visit for the operation.

Also, the 'hot pursuit' had full backing from the Prime Minister who wanted to send out a strong message.

The surgical operation began early Tuesday morning at around 3 am.

Specifically-trained Para commandos of the Indian Army were inserted into the Myanmar territory with the help of IAF choppers at two separate locations along the Manipur and Nagaland borders. The commandos then trekked towards the militant camps to retain the element of surprise.

The commandos engaged two separate groups of insurgents - some of them believed to be part of the militant group that attacked soldiers of the 6 Dogra Regiment in Manipur's Chandel last week.

The entire operation that involved heavy exchange of fire lasted for about 45 minutes and officially, 15 to 20 militants were killed in the operation.

However, sources put the toll at 30 and there is even speculation that over 100 militants could have been killed as some 150 were believed to be present at the two camps when the strikes began.

There was no casualty on the Indian side and all the commandoes returned to the Indian side of border safely.

While officially, the Myanmarese government and its Army were kept informed of the Indian operation, some reports claim that the Indian Ambassador in Nay Pyi Taw apprised the Myanmarese authorities of the same only shortly before the strikes were over. Also, Myanmar's Army was sent a message after the operation was completed, reports added.

Myanmar is unlikely to protest the Indian move as both countries have a treaty in place that allows such operations across the border.

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