Army will intensify operations in Assam, says DS Suhag

The Army on Friday vowed to intensify its operations in Assam in the aftermath of the massacre of tribals by Bodo militants, as authorities mulled coordinated action with armies of Bhutan and Myanmar to hunt them.

Normal life in Assam was, meanwhile, affected by a 12-hour bandh called by several organisations including some tribal outfits in protest against the killing of the tribals by militants belonging to National Democratic Front of Bodoland(Songbijit faction) on Tuesday. A fresh incident was reported where NDFB(S)militants lobbed a grenade at SSB personnel and exchanged fire with them in Chirang district along the Indo-Bhutan border, police said.

Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi after which the General said the Army is going to intensify its operations against NDFB militants. “We are definitely going to intensify our operations in Assam,” he told reporters after the meeting.

“The meeting was to review the security situation in Assam,” the Army Chief said. The Minister returned from Assam on Thursday after a two-day visit to review the situation. Sources said the Home Minister is believed to have discussed the issue of coordinated operations with armies of Bhutan and Myanmar against the NDFB(S) which has bases in the two neighbouring countries.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also spoke to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay last evening seeking action against the Bodi militants and was “assured of support”. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Swaraj was also trying to seek help of other “friendly neighbouring” countries to tackle the scourge of terrorism which India sees as a “national endevour”.