Army strikes back, kills 8 militants post May 22 ambush
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy : Economic Times
New Delhi, May 30 2016 :
Indian troops are said to have entered Myanmarese territory for the second time in less than a year in pursuit of militants responsible for the May 22 deadly ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur , officials familiar with the matter said.
Initial reports suggested that at least eight militants were killed in the operation late Friday, they said.
"The AR (Assam Rifles) has informed us that besides killing eight, they have picked up 18 militants who were later handed over to the Myanmar authorities," said an official from the security establishment.
Security agencies are in process of trying to confirm the extent of damage.
There has been no acknowledgement from the Myanmar authorities so far on the matter, the official said.
"We are still collecting the details and cannot confirm the number of deaths.
These camps where the action took place are located inside Myanmar beyond the free zone of 16 kilometre," the official added.
Six soldiers of the Assam Rifles were killed in the May 22 ambush, blamed on North East insurgent groups in Manipur.
During high-level consultations in New Delhi to take stock of the matter, Assam Rifles was instructed to initiate an action similar to the one in June last year, people in the know said.
Last year, special forces of the army carried out a strike inside Myanmar, killing nearly 60 insurgents of the groups believed to be responsible for an ambush in which 18 army men had died.
According to Assam Rifles report to the Centre, the militants who were gunned down in the latest attack belonged to the CorCom (Coordination Committee), a joint platform of militants groups operating in Manipur.
The CorCom had claimed responsibility for May 22 ambush and even released photographs of its hit squad.
Officials familiar with the matter said there was no clarity so far on the number of insurgents killed and there could also be members of the NSCN(K) .