Myanmar denies Indian Army raid inside its territory
Indian Army said soldiers had crossed into Myanmar and killed some 15 militants
Yangon: Myanmar on Wednesday denied media reports that Indian forces had attacked insurgents inside its territory and said it would not tolerate rebel groups using its soil to attack neighbours.
Earlier this week, India said its forces had hunted down a rebel group operating in the mountainous forests of Manipur, close to Myanmar’s western border. The rebels were involved in the killing of 18 Indian soldiers in an ambush last week.
Read: Indian Army's Myanmar operation a message to other neighbours, says Union Minister
The Indian Army said soldiers had crossed into Myanmar and killed some 15 militants who escaped across the border, after coordination between the two countries. But India insisted the operation took place on its side of the border only.
Read: Myanmar covert operation: Decision to strike militants taken on June 4, over 38 insurgents killed
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar’s presidential office, backed up that assertion. “According to the information sent by Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) battalions on the ground, we have learnt that the military operation was performed on the Indian side at India-Myanmar border,” he said.
“Myanmar will not accept any foreigner who attacks neighbouring countries in the back and creates problems by using our own territory,” he added.
Read: Jitendra Singh rushes to Manipur to take stock of situation