In a major boost for India, Myanmar is learnt to have agreed to launch coordinated operations to flush out north-east militants from its territory quite similar to what Bhutan did against ULFA by launching `Operation All Clear in December 2003.
Besides, the neighbouring countrys ruling junta has also promised to track down elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah who is believed to be hiding somewhere in Myanmars Kachin province bordering China.
These assurances were given at the three-day home secretary-level talks between the two countries which concluded in Myanmars capital Nay Pay Taw on Thursday.
A senior home ministry official said, Security forces of India and Myanmar will conduct coordinated operations in their respective territories in the next two-three months. The objective of the operations is that no militant should escape to the other side after facing heat on one side.
The Indian delegation, led by home secretary G K Pillai, included senior officials from Army and military intelligence including DGMI Lt Gen R K Loomba, unlike previous such meetings where generally home ministry officials used to outnumber others.
Though the official here did not specify when such coordinated operations would begin, he hinted that it would more or less be like what Bhutan did six years ago.
Indian Army and paramilitary personnel will lay a dragnet within Indian territory to nab the fleeing militants. The proposed operation on the other side will be solely carried out by Myanmar without any manpower or artillery support from Indian Army, said the official.
Bhutan had launched `Operation All Clear on December 15, 2003 which resulted in elimination of at least 160 militants and arrests of hundreds of other ULFA cadres including its ideologues Bhimkanta Buragohain and Mithinga Daimari.
Besides ULFA, other north-east outfits including NSCN(IM), NSCN(K), PLA and UNLF too have their camps within Myanmarese territory. While ULFA has camps in the Kachin province bordering China, the other outfits have been operating from areas bordering India which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Referring to Baruah, the official said, We have conveyed to the Myanmar delegation that we have information that the ULFA military chief is hiding in their territory and they assured us to track him down.
The Indian side also held detailed discussions with the Myanmar contingent led by Brigadier General Phone Swe on issues like activities of smugglers along the border, cross-border movement of insurgents, border trade and cross-border projects.
The meeting was very positive as Myanmar assured us that it will address all our security concerns and promised to carry forward the cordial relations between the two countries, the official said.
Link: Myanmar nod to joint ops against N-E militants idrw.org
Besides, the neighbouring countrys ruling junta has also promised to track down elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah who is believed to be hiding somewhere in Myanmars Kachin province bordering China.
These assurances were given at the three-day home secretary-level talks between the two countries which concluded in Myanmars capital Nay Pay Taw on Thursday.
A senior home ministry official said, Security forces of India and Myanmar will conduct coordinated operations in their respective territories in the next two-three months. The objective of the operations is that no militant should escape to the other side after facing heat on one side.
The Indian delegation, led by home secretary G K Pillai, included senior officials from Army and military intelligence including DGMI Lt Gen R K Loomba, unlike previous such meetings where generally home ministry officials used to outnumber others.
Though the official here did not specify when such coordinated operations would begin, he hinted that it would more or less be like what Bhutan did six years ago.
Indian Army and paramilitary personnel will lay a dragnet within Indian territory to nab the fleeing militants. The proposed operation on the other side will be solely carried out by Myanmar without any manpower or artillery support from Indian Army, said the official.
Bhutan had launched `Operation All Clear on December 15, 2003 which resulted in elimination of at least 160 militants and arrests of hundreds of other ULFA cadres including its ideologues Bhimkanta Buragohain and Mithinga Daimari.
Besides ULFA, other north-east outfits including NSCN(IM), NSCN(K), PLA and UNLF too have their camps within Myanmarese territory. While ULFA has camps in the Kachin province bordering China, the other outfits have been operating from areas bordering India which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Referring to Baruah, the official said, We have conveyed to the Myanmar delegation that we have information that the ULFA military chief is hiding in their territory and they assured us to track him down.
The Indian side also held detailed discussions with the Myanmar contingent led by Brigadier General Phone Swe on issues like activities of smugglers along the border, cross-border movement of insurgents, border trade and cross-border projects.
The meeting was very positive as Myanmar assured us that it will address all our security concerns and promised to carry forward the cordial relations between the two countries, the official said.
Link: Myanmar nod to joint ops against N-E militants idrw.org
