GUWAHATI, June 25: Indian forces have destroyed one of the largest Mynamarese rebel bases in India, deep in the mountainous jungles of the remote northeast, police said on Saturday.
The roughly 200 guerrillas and supporters living in the Chin National Army camp near the border with Myanmar fled before the attack, Lalgheta Sailo, police chief of Mizoram state, said by phone from the capital, Aizawl. There were no casualties.
The Chin army has fought a low-level rebellion since 1988 for more autonomy for the mainly Christian Chin in Myanmar’s northwest, where government troops have been trying to force them to convert to Buddhism,
The Indian operation began several days ago, part of an agreement by both countries to wipe out rebels on their soil. Indian rebels fighting for autonomy for northeastern states shelter in the jungles of Myanmar.
It was not possible to independently verify the police comments. Rights groups and analysts estimate the size of the Chin army at 800-1,000, including about 500 actual combatants. —Reuters
