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Service Chiefs meet : Accord on intelligence tone-up |
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In an attempt to tone up the intelligence set up in this troubled region, the three Chiefs of the Defence Services have decided to explore possibilities of setting up of an “improvised networking” system with intelligence agencies operating on the Eastern Front. They also discussed the need to improve all the defence installations in the East with the “latest technology”.
The three Service Chiefs were in Shillong to hold the Staff Committee Conference under the Chairmanship of Navy Chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh, who is also the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee. Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy and Chief of Army Gen. N.C. Vij also attended the meeting. The meeting, however, was kept a closely-guarded secret by the Eastern Air Command (EAC) and attempts by the media to interact with the three chiefs on their joint visit to Shillong turned out to be a futile exercise.
EAC sources said the meeting also discussed the need to set up better information-sharing system between the three forces, especially between the Air Force and the Army, which have huge establishments in many parts of Northeast.
The three service chiefs also visited the forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh and areas bordering Bangladesh.
Army brigade set up in Sajik Tampak valley
In another development, the army has moved into Sajik Tampak, a small valley in Chandel district that was home to militants belonging to various outfits till April.
The insurgents have been displaced from this strategically located valley, not far from the Indo-Myanmar border. Army troops and armoured vehicles have consolidated their positions in the zone.
A full brigade headquarters has been inaugurated at Chakpikarong in Chandel district, 87 km from Imphal. The army has made it clear that it would establish a permanent base here to control activities of militant organisations in Chandel district as well as the neighbouring districts of Thoubal and Churachandpur.
Talking to Imphal-based mediapersons, Brig. G.S. Malhi said: “We have come here to stay.” This is being seen as an indication that the army has plans to check rebel movements and cut off supply lines through the Chakpikarong-Sajik Tampak road and other nearby routes.
Intelligence sources said militant groups have established camps on the Sajik Tampak hills along the Indo-Myanmar border.
Prior to the outbreak of the Kargil conflict, the army had a base at Chakpikarong. Since then, there has been no army presence between Sugnu in Thoubal district and the Sajik Tampak route.
Official sources said the decision to establish a brigade at Chakpikarong was taken by the Union Home Ministry. The 9 Rajput Rifles, fresh from a bout of joint counter-insurgency training underwent along with US soldiers at Mizoram’s Vairangte Military Training School, is among the three army battalions placed under the 44 Mountain Brigade.
The army has opened at least seven checkposts along the Chakpikarong-Sajik Tampak route, a three-hour drive through harsh hilly terrain.
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