Myanmar counter-ops mark paradigm shift

The Indian Army’s operation across the border in Myanmar, similar to the US action across borders in the defence of its citizens, marks a paradigm shift in India’s policy against militants. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a former Army officer, has described the shift succinctly. He said: “Attacks on Indians, be it in Iraq or Yemen, are unacceptable. This is a message to neighbours, who harbour terrorists.”

The policy of hot pursuit, which was put in action on ground on Tuesday, showed a close monitoring by the political command – in this case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval. The veteran intelligence sleuth camped in Manipur with Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, fine-tuning the operation that resulted in the killing of 100 militants and no injury to Indian commandos. According to a government statement issued late on Wednesday, Doval will soon visit Myanmar to discuss further joint action against insurgents.

Assisted by Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Army’s para-commandos struck two camps, in which 150 militants were holed up. The Myanmar Army was briefed about the operation minutes before it began. At the diplomatic level, the Indian envoy in Yangon called on the Myanmar government to brief them on the operation, which by then was already halfway through.

The operation, which went on for around 12 hours, started at 3am and got over only by the afternoon. The entire exercise was covered under a 25 year-old treaty between the two countries to avoid any diplomatic skirmish.

In its statement after the operation, the Indian Army said it was in communication with Myanmar and that, “there is a history of close cooperation between the two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat terrorism.”

The Army added: “While ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and in border states, any threat to our security, safety and national integrity will meet a firm response.” This statement makes it clear that the operation across Myanmar border was not a one-off maneuver, but symbolised the government’s decision not to be constrained by borders and be pre-emptive in dealing with terror threats.

The cross-border pursuit was in line with the Modi government’s decision to give a combative response to ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the border and the line of actual control in Jammu and Kashmir. The Myanmar operation echoes the sentiments expressed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar last month.

When asked to comment on Pakistan’s response to his comment that “terrorists can neutralise terrorists”, Parrikar had said: “I will not go into what Pakistan feels about that. But mirchi, woh bhi Andhra ki lagi hai (chilli, and that too from Andhra has hit them).”