India, Myanmar to launch military offensive to evict separatists
IRNA
Guwahati, Jan 3, IRNA -- India and Myanmar could launch a joint military offensive to evict Indian separatists having bases inside Myanmar. "We have already sent our troops to train Myanmarese soldiers and could well come to that stage of launching a joint military operations to flush out militants from India`s northeastern region," Indian army chief General N.C. Vij told journalists Friday in Guwahati, capital of India`s northeastern state of Assam. The army chief said the military assaults by Bhutanese troops were continuing inside the kingdom. "Operations are on and reports say the militants were still in two camps where the offensive continues," Gen Vij said. "Up to 650 militants were either killed, captured, or surrendered during the operations on either side of the border. The figure includes rebels being neutralized by either Indian or Bhutanese forces." The army chief said it would be difficult for the rebels to `sustain` any longer with their `back` being broken by the Bhutanese soldiers since the operations was launched December 15. "But Bangladesh and Myanmar continue to be safe havens for the militants where they have a reasonable presence," Gen Vij said. The general ruled out any proposal for a joint military exercise with Bangladesh. "We don`t have any understanding as such with Bangladesh," he said. Contrary to Bhutanese claims that up to 3,000 militants were holed up in the south of the kingdom, the army chief said there could have been anything between 1,200 to 1,500 rebels in Bhutan when the raids took place. "So far Bhutan has done a very good job and in matter of time we would be able to assess the situation," Gen Vij said. Bhutan has released no casualty figures. The rebels deny any major losses. 1260/211 End
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