PLA's First Drone Strike from Myanmar Unfolds New Threat in Manipur
The latest threat emerged after People’s Liberation Army, a proscribed Meitei outfit, last week claimed responsibility for the powerful drone strike on a forward outpost of Assam Rifles (AR) in Tengnoupal district
Kolkata: A lethal drone attack from Myanmar by a banned insurgent group for the first time across the border on the security forces in India last month has unfolded a new challenge in Manipur amid the Centre's efforts to revive communal harmony between Meiteis and Kukis in the north eastern state, now under the President's Rule following a two-year-long ethnic clashes.
The latest threat emerged after People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a proscribed Meitei outfit, last week claimed responsibility for the powerful drone strike on a forward outpost of Assam Rifles (AR) in Tengnoupal district in Manipur early on November 28 that left four troopers of the paramilitary force injured.
On social media, the PLA circulated a video of nearly seven minutes, showing how its 404 Mobile Force carried out the pre-dawn attack, codenamed 'Operation LANG-OL', flying UAVs to drop three bombs on a temporary operating base of an AR battalion following an aerial reconnaissance. The footage also captured the AR troopers rushing out of their post for cover after getting hit.
The targeted location was near the Indo-Myanmar border pillars (BP) 85 and 86 at Yangoupokpi between Saibol and Maringthel villages. A security official told this newspaper on anonymity that the stretch between BP 60-90 has been embroiled in multiple encounters between security forces and insurgent groups which constantly jockey for their operational space.
Referring to the drone attack, he said, “This is the first aerial strike of its kind in the series of attacks by the insurgents in the last one year in the zone.” The security forces later zeroed in on Min Thar, a hilly terrain covered with forest in Sagaing in Myanmar and within two kms of the border with India, where the militants have been camping and launched the strike from.
According to sources, the hideout is suspected to have 800-1000 militants of the PLA and another outfit, United National Liberation Front, apart from fortified bunkers and anti-drone systems. Backed by Myanmar Army amid a civil war, it is also used by the insurgents for training of cadres, arms and ammunition storage, launchpad for attacks and a post-operation shelter for the rebels.
Ironically, the AR outpost, the Meitei insurgents hit across the border, is not far from Kwatha village in the hills, which is inhabited by their own community members and has remained unscathed thanks to the robust security forces’ presence during the ethnic flare-up earlier across Manipur. The village also happens to be the Meiteis’ lone footprint in Tengnoupal.
Officials are now contemplating that though the AR has been successfully performing a dual role– combating the Meitei insurgent groups across the border while simultaneously protecting their community from others on homeland, time has come for the policymakers at the apex level to take note of the Myanmar Army’s support to the same militant outfits that threaten Indian security forces in Manipur from the opposite side.
