Surgical operations on along Indo-Myanmar border: Parrikar

The intelligence grid has been revitalised along the Indo-Myanmar border and intelligence-based surgical operations are being conducted to neutralise terrorists, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Tuesday.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the defence minister said the rugged terrain along the Indo-Myanamar border and free movement regime were exploited by terrorists operating in the area.

"The Indo-Myanmar border is rugged and densely forested. The rugged terrain and prevailing trans-border free movement regime are exploited by the terrorists due to which monitoring of their cross-border movement and activities is extremely challenging," Parrikar said.

He said the army was "fully alive" to the prevailing complex challenges and accordingly "surgical intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations are being conducted to neutralise the terrorists".

"The intelligence grid has been revitalised. Efforts have been made for seamless interface amongst all intelligence agencies and units conducting counter-terrorism operations so as to collate, analyse and disseminate intelligence in a timely manner," said the defence minister.

An army convoy was ambushed by heavily-armed terrorists in Parlon in Chandel district of Manipur on June 4, killing 18 soldiers and injuring 15 others.

Two terrorists were killed in retaliatory fire and one AK-47 Rifle seized.

In another reply, the defence minister said soldiers martyred in the ambush would be given Rs.10 lakh as ex-gratia relief, Rs.25 lakh as army group insurance, Rs.30,000 from Army Central Welfare Fund, Rs.15,000 from Army Wives Welfare Association and other benefits along with family pension.