NEW DELHI, Oct 31 ? After Bhutan, North East insurgents hiding in Myanmar could face the heat as the military regime there is not averse to carry out an Army operation against them. The issue was discussed during the just-concluded visit here by Myanmar?s top military leader Than Shwe.
He is believed to have assured the Indian leadership that Yangon was for a Bhutan-type operation against the Indian insurgents hiding there, government sources told PTI here today. The two countries have agreed to discuss modalities for carrying out such an operation, the sources said, adding, the process could start shortly.
?A number of operational details, including survey and planning, have to be worked out and it can take some time before a drive can begin,? they said. Initial level discussions in this context were held when a defence delegation of Myanmar accompanying Than met Army Chief Gen NC Vij here, the sources said.
Gen Vij is understood to have apprised the Myanmarese delegation about the extent of presence of North East insurgents in that country and the places where the terrorists are believed to be hiding.
?This interaction between defence establishments of the two countries on fighting terrorism is likely to increase in the future,? the sources said. The Indian government is of the view that insurgent outfits of North East find a safe haven in Myanmar territory due to various factors, particularly because some of their units have connections with Myanmar insurgents.
Indian security agencies believe that after the insurgents were flushed out from Bhutan last year, many of them have gone to Myanmar and Bangladesh. Than is the first Head of State from Myanmar to visit India in 24 years and this is the first Head of State-Head of Government-level interaction in 17 years.
A feeling is growing in India that keeping its interests in mind, it will have to do business with the military of Myanmar as it will continue to have a powerful influence in the country like some other nations.
During Than?s visit here, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in non-traditional security issues, committing themselves to enhance cooperation against terrorism, arms smuggling, money laundering, drug trafficking, organised crime, international economic crimes and cyber crimes. The mechanism for cooperation includes exchange of information and personnel and cooperation between law-enforcement agencies and joint research.