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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Indian troops capture rebel base in north-east |
| 2004-11-07 |
| Indian troops have captured an important rebel stronghold in the northeastern state of Manipur, close to the border with Burma, the army said yesterday. Around 6,000 troops have been deployed in a major military operation against rebel-controlled regions of Manipur this week, with the help of Burma which has closed its border to cut off escape routes. The army said it had re-established control over Sajik Tampak, a stretch of thick forested mountains where an estimated 2,000 rebels had set up their camps. "Sajik Tampak is no longer a 'liberated zone' because of the army presence, but the area is yet to be completely cleared of rebels," Major Santanu Dev Goswami, military spokesman in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, said. "Operations are going on every day to clear the remaining areas." Civil government officials have reopened offices in small towns and villages in the area, which had been out of bounds for several years. The area lies in Chandel district, just 80km south of Imphal. The Indian army says it has attacked more than 100 rebel bases in Manipur since Monday. Police officials in Chandel said at least 30 rebels had been killed and 50 arrested, while the military said two soldiers died after stepping on a landmine. |
| Posted by:Fred |