Indian raid in Myanmar raises regional tensions

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Indian raid in Myanmar raises regional tensions

By Sanjoy Majumder

BBC News, Manipur

A cross-border raid last week by Indian soldiers into Myanmar has raised regional tensions. The unusual operation targeted insurgents after the biggest rebel attack on Indian soldiers in two decades.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder travelled to the north-eastern state of Manipur where the attack took place.

MYANMAR:-- The road from the remote Manipur district of Chandel to Myanmar is deserted. It is not until an hour into our drive that we come across the first sign of life: an Indian army patrol is moving slowly across the mountains, looking into the thick foliage for any sign of activity.

The soldiers are from the 6 Dogras unit. Earlier this month, on this very road which winds across the mountains through thick forest, 18 of their colleagues were killed in an ambush by rebels.

A radio set crackles to life and the unit commander relays the information that we are safe.

A few kilometres ahead we reach the site of the attack. An army truck is almost on its side, completely charred. There are large dark patches on the ground and on one side are the remains of three rocket-propelled grenades.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33193275

-- BBC 2017-06-19