India denies troops entered Myanmar to act against NSCN-K

Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. V.K. Singh (retd) on Wednesday said Indian troops operated along the India-Myanmar border and did not enter Myanmar to act against militants of NSCN-K and some other militant groups.

Those who had gone beyond the official "brief" must be questioned, the former Indian Army chief told newsmen here.

He was here to attend an awareness meeting on MUDRA scheme.

"The statement of the Additional Director General of Military Operation was that there were operations along the India-Myanmar border. Some people in their 'exuberance' claimed that the Indian troops had operated inside Myanmar. Those who had gone beyond the briefs must be questioned."

The Indian Army launched a massive operation against the militants along the India-Myanmar border on June 9, inflicting heavy causalities to rebel groups.

The operation was launched after the NSCN-Khaplang and some other militant outfits on June 4 attacked an army convoy in Manipur's Chandel district and killed 18 soldiers and injured 11 others.

After the operation, some media organisation reported that the Indian Army had crossed over to the other side of international border with Myanmar and attacked the bases of militants in the neighbouring country.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had appreciated the "surgical strike inside Myanmar as a bold step taken by the Centre".

V.K. Singh said relations between India and Myanmar have started improving.

"In fact, Myanmar is taking our concerns seriously and if everything goes well close relationship between the two countries will open up new opportunities of trade and connectivity," he said.

Meanwhile, he termed the ongoing agitation in Assam over the Centre's decision to regularise the entry of minority communities from Bangladesh and Pakistan as a result of misconception.

"It is a total misconception. There should be no controversy. The notification issued by the Central government is a pan-India notification and it should not be taken into consideration in respect to one particular state," he said.