Destruction of NSCN-K hideouts a lesson for infiltrators: Mahesh Sharma

Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma on Wednesday praised the Indian Army for busting National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCN-K) hideouts on Myanmar border and said that the operation gave a clear message for people trying to infiltrate inside Indian border.

Sharma said India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is competent enough to take care of the country's security at borders and maintain internal peace.

"India is a sovereignty country under our strong leader Prime Minister Modi. Anybody who will try to disturb it should get a clear message that they will be dealt in firm manner. What has been done today will be repeated in future if needed," he told ANI.

Earlier in the day, Naga insurgent group NSCN-K suffered heavy casualties when Indian Army struck on their hideouts on Indo-Myanmar border.

"Heavy casualties reportedly inflicted on NSCN(K) cadre. No casualties suffered by Indian Security Forces," Eastern Command of Indian Army tweeted.

The "firefight" started at around 4.45 am and lasted for a couple of hours. Confirming the report, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army said none of its personnel were hurt in the operation, contradicting reports that had suggested otherwise.

According to the Eastern Command, "An Indian Army's column was attacked by unidentified insurgents while they were operating along Indo-Myanmar border on Wednesday."

"Our troops reacted swiftly and brought down heavy retaliatory fire on the insurgents. The insurgents then broke contact and fled from the spot, "Eastern Command of Indian Army said in a statement.

The statement further stated that a large number of casualties were suffered by the insurgents.

Indian troops didn't suffer any causality and didn't cross international border, said the Indian Army statement.

"Reports of casualties to #IndianArmy personnel factually incorrect. Firefight occurred along Indo-Myanmar border at 0445 hrs today @adgpi," Eastern Command of Indian Army tweeted.