LOOKEAST REPORT |
Myanmar Army Tatmadaw has launched an operation against an unspecified number of camps of NSCN–K group in the country’s Sagaing Division since Wednesday.
■ Isak Sumi
But the range and intensity of the operation was not yet clear. Neither the Myanmar nor the Indian army has come out with details so far but the rebel group has claimed their fighters were safe.
Myanmar army operation may have forced the Naga fighters to withdraw from their bases — or at least some of them — in the Sagaing Division in the Tenu Teoak ranges. But there is no report of encounters or casualties. The Burmese army has often alerted Naga rebels before starting an offensive, providing them an window to escape. Then they attack abandoned camps to make a point
The NSCN–K has a ceasefire going with the Myanmar authorities — hence the current military operation may have been initiated due to Indian pressure after the K group fighters attacked Indian security forces along the india–Myanmar border several times during the last two months.
Isak Sumi, the NSCN–K spokesman, has claimed that the entire NSCN–K fighting force was safe.
Isak Sumi says in his Facebook post: “The on–going standoff between the Myanmar Army and Naga Army has temporarily been resolved without untoward incident but Naga Army had to make a tactical withdrawal. The overall situation is still tense but the Naga Army are re-entrenched again and safe. Requesting prayer to all the loved ones”.
■ Isak Sumi’s facebook post
Analysts say the Myanmar army operation may have forced the Naga fighters to withdraw from their bases — or at least some of them — in the Sagaing Division in the Tenu Teoak ranges. But there is no report of encounters or casualties.
The Burmese army has often alerted Naga rebels before starting an offensive, providing them an window to escape.
Then they attack abandoned camps to make a point.
The Burmese army has reassured their Indian counterparts in recent months that they would not allow their soil to be used by forces working against India.
The NSCN–K runs a network of more than a dozen bases in Sagaing Division, some of which are partially shared with other rebel groups from northeast India, especially the constituents of the UNLFSWEA which the K group formed with support from the ULFA(I). ■
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