NEW DELHI: With around 15-20 insurgents from NSCN(K) and other allied groups reportedly crossing over from Myanmar for possible retaliatory strikes in the northeast, the Centre has put the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam on alert.

The tightened vigil comes even as Union home minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting here on Thursday with the Army and intelligence brass to take stock of the situation in the wake of Tuesday’s unilateral strikes by special forces on insurgent camps in Myanmar. The meeting was attended by defence minister Manohar Parikkar, NSA Ajit Doval and vice-chief of Army Lt Gen Philip Campos among others. They discussed both defensive and offensive strategies to take forward the operations against the insurgent groups of the Northeast based in Myanmar.

“While the defensive strategies would include stepping up alert in bordering states of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, the offensive strategy involves identification and mapping of the camps across the border followed by joint operations with Myanmarese forces,” a senior home ministry official told TOI. While unilateral strikes by the Indian Army on the lines of Tuesday’s offensive are not ruled out, the emphasis will on convincing Myanmar to join forces with India to tackle the “common” threat from Northeastern outfits now working in close coordination with each other.

The meeting chaired by the home minister expressed “satisfaction” at Tuesday’s operation and agreed that the offensive against Northeastern insurgents’ hideouts in Myanmar should be taken to its logical conclusion with further strikes, but in due coordination with the Myanmar authorities. The government favoured caution, taking into consideration the sensitivities involved with regard to Myanmar, where general election is due soon.

Sources said Doval, who is due to visit Yangon soon, will brief the Myanmarese leadership about the circumstances leading to India taking the bold step of ordering surgical strikes against militants operating from that country's soil.

The meeting on Thursday took note of NSCN(K)'s attempt to target security forces since June 4 when militants killed 18 Armymen in Chandel district of Manipur. At least five such attempts to target security forces have taken place since June 4, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the government asked ministers and officials to exercise caution while talking of the surgical strikes in Myanmar. They were asked not to discuss finer details of the operation.

