'Myanmar operation product of Modi-Doval doctrine'

The Indian offensive against militants along the Indo-Myanmar border is a reflection of the "Modi-Doval" doctrine on counter terrorism, which focuses on defensive, as well as offensive response to insurgency, said sources.

However, it is too early to celebrate, they added.

"But the doctrine of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is working well," an official close to the security establishment told IANS.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who was a part of the think tank Vivekananda Foundation before taking up his current post, in one of his lectures had listed three modes of engaging the enemy - defensive, offensive-defensive and offensive.

"We engage the enemy in three modes. One is the defensive mode... If some one comes here, we will defend this. One is offensive defence... if someone comes here we will go to the place from where the offence is coming... the third is the offensive mode where you go outrightly," Doval had said in the lecture.

The official said that Tuesday's operation was a reflection of the defensive-offensive mode.

When asked if a similar approach will be used on the western border of India, the official said the situation on both sides is different.

"Defence and security strategy is something that evolves after one thinks through all the consequences of action or inaction; hence any premature celebration over the Myanmar swatting of terror groups would not only be wrong, but foolish," said the official.

"We need to be clear that dealing with terrorists in Myanmar is different from dealing with the likes of the Lashkar-e-Taiba which has the active backing of the Pakistani army and the ISI," the official said.

"What worked in Myanmar will not work on our western borders against jihadi groups. For that, we need covert guerrilla action, not direct attacks," the official added.

India launched attacks at two points along the Indo-Myanmar border on Tuesday, killing several militants involved in attacks on security forces.

The attack was a response to the June 4 attack on a convoy of the Indian Army in which 18 soldiers of 6 Dogra regiment were killed.

Additional Director General, Military Operations, Maj. Gen. Ranbir Singh had said on Tuesday that authorities on the Myanmar side were taken into confidence.