Intelligence grid in Northeast revitalised after attack on army convoy: Government

NEW DELHI: The intelligence grid in the Northeastern region has been "revitalised" in wake of the deadly attack on an army convoy in Manipur in June that killed 18 soldiers, the government said today.

Noting that the Indo-Myanmar border is rugged and densely forested, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the terrain and prevailing trans-border 'free movement regime' are being exploited by the terrorists due to which monitoring of their cross-border movement and activities is extremely challenging.

"Army is fully alive to the prevailing complex challenges and accordingly surgical intelligence-based counter terrorism operations are being conducted to neutralize the terrorists," he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Parrikar said that the intelligence grid has been "revitalised" and that efforts have been made for seamless interface amongst all intelligence agencies and units conducting counter terrorism operations so as to collate, analyse and disseminate intelligence in a timely manner.

An army vehicle convoy was ambushed by well-armed terrorists in general area Parlon in Chandel District of Manipur on June 4.

The incident resulted in 18 fatal and 15 non-fatal army casualties.

Two terrorists were killed in retaliatory fire and one AK 47 rifle was seized.