Free flow of arms from SE Asia worries Army

RANGIYA: Army officials engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Assam are concerned over the flow of sophisticated weapons from foreign countries, particularly southeast Asia, to the northeastern region and the increasing attacks on security forces by militants.

During a media fraternization exercise organized at the Rangiya-based headquarters of the Red Horns Divison, Army officials highlighted the fact that attacks on security forces have gone up than ever before. The Army divison has sought public support to restore peace in the state.

Officials of the Red Horns Division, which commands troops in almost 60 per cent areas of the state, said though the Army has successfully recovered huge amount of arms and ammunition during various operations, "the free flow of illegal arms have led many small militant outfits to grow and sustain in the state".

"Since 2008, the division has found over 1,400 sophisticated weapons during various military operations. Though the state has shown a decrease in militancy over the last few years with top militant outfits showing their willingness to sit for peace talks, the inflow of illegal arms continues to be a major concern. In 2011, till now we have recovered 222 such weapons," said Col K S Brar of the Red Horns Division.

The division found 366 weapons in 2008, 461 in 2009, and 430 in 2010 in various military operations launched against militants.

Brar mentioned that the frequency of attacks on security forces has increased in recent times. "In 2009, there was only a single attack on security forces in the state, which rose to five in 2011. In 2010, there were three attacks," he added.

GOC of Red Horn Divison Maj-Gen. N S Ghei said the Army has been performing its role to restore peace in the state. "The Army can only succeed in the goal only with the support of common people. Catching militant is not our only goal. Rather, we want to bridge the gap between the armed forces and the common people," said Ghei.

According to the official information, the divison has successfully launched 32 military operations on inofrmation supplied by local people in the last three months. "Only with the help of public information we have recovered 12 IEDs in 2011," the GOC said.

The division recovered 110 IEDs in 2009, 48 in 2010 and 30 in 2011.