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Myanmar denies India's attack on militants inside its territory

by IBNS 11 Jun 2015, 10:39 am

Yangon, June 11 (IBNS): With media reports claiming that India killed Northeast militants, responsible for the Manipur ambush, inside Myanmar, the neighbouring country has now denied reports that Indian forces had attacked militants inside its territory.

Media reports citing sources reported that Indian soldiers had crossed into Myanmar and killed some 15 militants who escaped across the border, in an joint operation with the neighbouring country.

Myanmar has said that it does not provide a safe haven to terrorists.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar's presidential office, said: "According to the information sent by Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) battalions on the ground, we have learned that the military operation was performed on the Indian side at India-Myanmar border."

"Myanmar will not accept any foreigner who attacks neighbouring countries in the back and creates problems by using our own territory," he added.

According to media details that surfaced on Wednesday, Units of Army's 21 Para Special Forces in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF) undertook the operation of attacking militants inside Myanmar following the Manipur ambush where Northeast insurgents killed 18 soldier of 6 Dogra Regiment.

On Tuesday, Major General Ranbir Singh, Additional Director General of Military Operations (A) said: "You are all aware that following the attack on our security personnel on 04 June 2015 in Chandel, Manipur, we have been on a high alert. In the course of the last few days, credible and specific intelligence was received about further attacks that were being planned within our territory. These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies. "

"In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary. Based on intelligence, we conducted operations to counter these planned assaults. Early this morning, the Indian Army engaged two separate groups of insurgents along the Indo- Myanmar border at two locations, along the Nagaland and Manipur borders. Significant casualties have been inflicted on them. As a consequence, threats to our civilian population and security forces were averted," Singh had said.

He had said India and Myanmar authorities are in touch with each other over the issue.

"We are in communication with the Myanmar authorities on this matter. There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism," he had said.

In what is being described as the worst casualties of the Army, 18 soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer were killed and at least 11 injured when militants ambushed their convoy in Manipur's Chandel district on Thursdaymorning.