\\\'Indian army inflict significant casualties on separatists\\\'

Major General Randhir Singh of India’s eastern Command has said para commandos inflicted significant casualties on the separatists based in Niklak in Myanmar and Chassad in Manipur’s Ukhrul district in two days of offensive following June 4 attack on an Indian army convoy by the insurgents that left 18 soldiers killed and many injured. Maj Gen Singh said the operations followed “very credible and specific intelligence” that the militants were planning to carry out more attacks. Para commandos, flying with mounted machine guns on MI-17 helicopters, have destroyed the two militant bases – one NSCN (Khaplang) base in Noklak right on the border and another KYKL base across Chassad in Manipur’s Ukhrul district in the last 48 hours. NDTV, quoting local sources on the border, said they saw Indian military helicopters flying around, firing heavily from machine guns. They said the helicopters appeared to have crossed the border into Myanmar to hit the rebel bases that were located just across the border. Reliable sources said troops of an Indian para-regiment, marked as special forces, were involved in the heavy airborne assault, perhaps launched first time on the border with Myanmar. Intelligence sources said some militants were killed in Noklak and Chassad bases because they were taken by complete surprise. Some of these militants could have been involved in last week’s ambush of a column of 6th Dogra regiment in Chandel, they said. Major General Randhir Singh said "Following the 4th June attack we were in a state of high alert... we received information about more such attacks being planned... “Early in the morning, the Indian Army engaged two separate groups of insurgents along the Indo-Myanmar border at the two locations, along the Nagaland and Manipur borders. “Significant casualties have been inflicted on them," Maj Gen Singh said. Indian Arrmy eastern command’s spokesperson said stern action would be taken to maintain peace and harmony. The heavy Indian attack using helicopters and special forces came within hours after the three rebels groups involved in last Thursday’s attack had finished celebrations at one base inside Myanmar. A NSCN-K media statement, providing details of the celebrations, said the raiding group of NSCN-K, KYKL and KCP rebels were felicitated for their successful operations by senior leaders of the three groups. The NSCN-K statement admitted the death of two rebels in June 4 attack – one NSCN captain and another sergeant of the KYKL. They were hit by mortars by Indian troops during the three-hour long encounter. Though the army suffered heavy casualties – 18 dead and many injured -- the rest of the troops fought back and forced the rebels to withdraw with casualties. Indian intelligence says it had warned the army on June 3 about an impending attack after intercepting insurgents’ communications, according to a news agency.