2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar

{{Short description|None}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}

{{infobox military conflict

| conflict = 2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar

| partof = the spillover of the Northeast Indian insurgency in Myanmar

| image =

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| date = 9 June 2015

| place = India–Myanmar border

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| result = Indian victory

  • Several insurgent camps destroyed

| combatant1 = {{flag|India}}

| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Unofficial flag of Nagaland.svg}} NSCN-K
{{flagicon image|Flag of KYKL.jpg}} Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup

| commander1 = {{flagdeco|India|army}} Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag
{{small|(Chief of Army Staff)}}
{{flagdeco|India|army}} Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat
{{small|(General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 3 Corps)}}

| commander2 = S.S. Khaplang (NSCN-K/GPNR)
Chaplee Kilonser Starson (NSCN-K/ GPRN)
N. Oken (KYKL)

| units1 = {{army|India}}

| units2 = No specific units

| strength1 = 70 Para SF operators
ALH helicopters

| strength2 = 300+

| casualties1 = None

| casualties2 = 38 {{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|title=70 commandos involved in Myanmar operation|date=10 June 2015|publisher=Zee News|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002165514/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live}}

}}

On 9 June 2015, India conducted a cross-border strike code name Operation Hot Pursuit against insurgents belonging to NSCN-K.{{cite web |title=Special Operations India : 'Myanmar' HistoryTV18 Exclusive |url=https://www.historyindia.com/show/special-ops-india-myanmar |website=History India |publisher=History TV18 |access-date=12 October 2022}} The operation took place in Myanmar and it was in response to ambush of Indian Army convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur.{{cite web|url=http://thenortheasttoday.com/nscn-k-camps-busted-along-indo-myanmar-border/|title=NSCN (K) camps busted along Indo-Myanmar border|date=9 June 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062127/http://thenortheasttoday.com/nscn-k-camps-busted-along-indo-myanmar-border/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} Indian officials said that Indian Army Special Forces had crossed the border and inflicted significant casualties against the NSCN-K.{{cite web|url=http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/myanmar-operation-70-commandos-finish-task-in-40-minutes/article7302348.ece|title=Myanmar operation: 70 commandos finish task in 40 minutes|date=10 June 2015|work=thehindu.com|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615002337/http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/myanmar-operation-70-commandos-finish-task-in-40-minutes/article7302348.ece|archive-date=15 June 2015|url-status=live}} According to Indian media reports, around 38 insurgents belonging to NSCN-K were killed during the operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-myanmar-indian-army-national-socialist-council-of-nagaland-nscn-k-surgical-strike-indo-myanmar-border-chandel-manipur-6-dogra-regiment/97097|title=When Indian Army conducted surgical strike against NSCN(K) in June 2015|date=12 January 2018|work=Times Now News|quote=As per details available, a crack team of about 70 commandos of the Indian Army entered Myanmar to strike at the militant group's camps. They returned within 40 minutes, leaving at least 38 Naga insurgents dead and several injured.|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804122756/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-myanmar-indian-army-national-socialist-council-of-nagaland-nscn-k-surgical-strike-indo-myanmar-border-chandel-manipur-6-dogra-regiment/97097|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|title=70 commandos involved in Myanmar operation|date=10 June 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002165514/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live}} The operation lasted around 40 minutes.{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/myanmar-operation-70-commandos-finish-task-in-40-minutes/articleshow/47617871.cms|title=Myanmar operation: 70 commandos finish task in 40 minutes|date=14 July 2018|work=Economic Times|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614044831/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/myanmar-operation-70-commandos-finish-task-in-40-minutes/articleshow/47617871.cms|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=live}}

Details

Based on precise intelligence inputs, the 21 PARA (SF) carried a cross-border operation along the India–Myanmar border and destroyed two Militant camps one each of NSCN (K) and KYKL, along the India–Myanmar border. The operations were carried out inside the Myanmar territory along the Nagaland and Manipur border at two locations. One of the locations is near Ukhrul in Manipur. The army attacked two transit camps of the Naga militants.

Seventy-two special forces commandos were reportedly involved in the operation. They were equipped with advanced assault rifles, rocket launchers, grenades and night vision goggles. The commandos wore the uniforms of the 12 Bihar Battalion of Indian army, which was then deployed on the India–Myanmar border.{{cite news |last1=Haidar |first1=Suhasini |last2=Joseph |first2=Josy |date=3 December 2017 |title=Army Chief Rawat's remarks on Myanmar raid leaves Centre red-faced |newspaper=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-chief-rawats-remarks-on-myanmar-raid-leaves-centre-red-faced/article21255413.ece?homepage=true |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061736/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-chief-rawats-remarks-on-myanmar-raid-leaves-centre-red-faced/article21255413.ece?homepage=true |archive-date=4 December 2017}} Troops were divided into two groups after they fast roped from Dhruv helicopter just inside the Indian territory near the border with Myanmar.

The teams trekked through the thick jungles for at least 50 kilometers before they reached the training camps. Each of the two teams were further divided into two sub-groups. While one was responsible for the direct assault, the second formed an outer ring to prevent any of insurgents from running and escaping. The actual operation (hitting the camp and destroying it) took about 40 minutes.

Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force were put on standby, ready to be pressed into service to evacuate the commandos in case anything went wrong.

In its statement after the operation, the Indian Army said it was in communication with Myanmar and that, "There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism, This entire operation was made successful by the code name Agent Lima with the input of his intelligence.".

According to Indian officials, heavy casualties were inflicted on the attackers behind the ambush on Army on 4 June, which had claimed the lives of 18 Army jawans of 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur. This has been marked as the biggest attack on Indian Army after Kargil war of 1999.

Casualties

Indian media initially claimed that around 15 to 20 insurgents belonging to NSCN-K were killed during the operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/army-strikes-back-kills-20-militants-responsible-for-manipur-massacre-in-myanmar-2287412.html|title=Army strikes back, kills 20 militants 'responsible' for Manipur massacre in Myanmar|date=10 June 2015|work=First Post|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804122757/https://www.firstpost.com/india/army-strikes-back-kills-20-militants-responsible-for-manipur-massacre-in-myanmar-2287412.html|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Manipur-ambush-Army-strikes-back-at-northeast-militants-inside-Myanmar-kills-15/articleshow/47601528.cms|title=Manipur ambush: Army strikes back at northeast militants inside Myanmar, kills 15|date=9 June 2015|work=Times of India|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612020021/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Manipur-ambush-Army-strikes-back-at-northeast-militants-inside-Myanmar-kills-15/articleshow/47601528.cms|archive-date=12 June 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manipur-army-ambush-massacre-enters-myanmar-avenge-256520-2015-06-09|title=Indian Army crosses Myanmar border in rare attack to avenge Manipur massacre|date=9 June 2015|work=India Today|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804122756/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manipur-army-ambush-massacre-enters-myanmar-avenge-256520-2015-06-09|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33074773|title=India 'attacks rebels in Myanmar'|work=BBC News|date=10 June 2015 |quote=While the Indian army said its soldiers had operated along the border with Myanmar, Mr Rathore said the troops had "crossed over to Myanmar territory" during Tuesday morning's operation..... The Press Trust of India news agency quoted unnamed sources as saying that Indian troops had killed some 15 rebels in the "cross-border" attack.|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804130930/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33074773|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indian-army-hits-insurgents-in-myanmar-kill-15-115060901048_1.html|title=Indian army hits insurgents in Myanmar; kill 15|date=10 June 2015|work=Business Standard|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718092326/http://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indian-army-hits-insurgents-in-myanmar-kill-15-115060901048_1.html|archive-date=18 July 2016|url-status=live}} However, Times of India, while citing unnamed source from Ministry of Home Affairs (India) claimed that more than 100 insurgents were killed during the whole operation.{{cite web |last=Jain |first=Bharti |date=10 June 2015 |title=Inside story: Over 100 northeast militants may have been killed in Army's Myanmar operations |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Inside-story-Over-100-northeast-militants-may-have-been-killed-in-Armys-Myanmar-operations/articleshow/47609757.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109050145/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Inside-story-Over-100-northeast-militants-may-have-been-killed-in-Armys-Myanmar-operations/articleshow/47609757.cms |archive-date=9 November 2015 |access-date=4 August 2019 |work=Times of India}}

Later on, Indian media reports claimed that around 38 insurgents were killed during the operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150610/nation-current-affairs/article/myanmar-covert-operation-decision-strike-militants-taken-june|title=Myanmar covert operation: Decision to strike militants taken on June 4, over 38 insurgents killed|date=10 June 2015|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804122755/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150610/nation-current-affairs/article/myanmar-covert-operation-decision-strike-militants-taken-june|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}}

Aftermath

Indian Army General Dalbir Singh Suhag claimed that the Indian troops had operated along the border with Myanmar. However, General Dalbir Singh's claims were contradicted by Indian information minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Col Rathore claimed that Indian troops had crossed the border to hit insurgents in Myanmar.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/09/indian-army-insurgents-burma|title=Indian army attacks insurgents along border with Burma days after ambush|date=9 June 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804122755/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/09/indian-army-insurgents-burma|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}} Similarly Indian Army Chief, Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat, also confirmed that Indian troops had crossed Myanmar's border to attack NSCN-K insurgents.

Myanmar's government insisted that the operation did not take place on its territory and that Myanmar does not allow rebel groups to use its territory to stage attacks against foreign countries.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/14978-government-denies-india-operation-took-place-inside-myanmar.html|title=Government denies India operation took place inside Myanmar|work=Myanmar Times|date=11 June 2015|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804122805/https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/14978-government-denies-india-operation-took-place-inside-myanmar.html|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}} Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar's presidential office, in a Facebook post claimed that Tatmadaw battalion belonging to Myanmar Army was sent to the location to ascertain the facts. The findings of the battalion confirmed that the operation took place on the Indian side of the territory.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150611/nation-current-affairs/article/myanmar-denies-indian-army-raid|title=Myanmar denies Indian Army raid inside its territory|date=11 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614021044/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150611/nation-current-affairs/article/myanmar-denies-indian-army-raid|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) also challenged Indian claims. NSCN-K claimed that their camp was not targeted and they did not suffer any casualties. The group challenged Indian Army to display the bodies killed in the attack.{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/nscnk-challenges-indian-army-to-display-bodies-of-those-killed-in-attack/articleshow/47622684.cms|title=NSCN(K) challenges Indian Army to display bodies of those killed in attack|date=11 June 2015|work=Economic Times}}

In media

=Documentaries=

Special Operations: India "Myanmar" (2018) is a TV documentary about the operation which premiered on History TV18 Channel. It was directed and produced by Prabhu Asgaonkar and Manika Berry Asgaonkar.{{cite web|title=Special Operations: India 'Myanmar' English Episode| date=28 March 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo97uKSEn60?t=43m41s|publisher=History TV18|access-date=21 April 2018}}{{cite news |title=Special Ops India: History TV18 to present documentary on Pathankot airbase attack on June 25 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/special-ops-india-documentary-recreated-to-show-pathankot-air-base-attack-on-june-25/story-kOLEAtp5bFaGmYZUPV6C6I.html |access-date=2 January 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=22 June 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622134411/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/special-ops-india-documentary-recreated-to-show-pathankot-air-base-attack-on-june-25/story-kOLEAtp5bFaGmYZUPV6C6I.html |archive-date=22 June 2018 |url-status=live }}

See also

References