In June 2015, India demonstrated a decisive shift in its counter-insurgency strategy with Operation Hot Pursuit, a cross-border military strike into Myanmar. This operation was a direct response to one of the deadliest attacks on Indian forces in recent decades, signaling New Delhi’s willingness to pursue terrorists beyond its borders.
The Deadly Ambush in Manipur
On June 4, 2015, militants ambushed a military convoy of the 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district, Manipur, near the Myanmar border. The attackers, belonging to the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and allied groups including the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) under the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), used rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices.
The assault killed 18 Indian soldiers and wounded 15 others. It was among the most lethal attacks on the Indian Army since the Kargil War, highlighting the persistent threat from insurgent groups operating in India’s volatile Northeast.
Intelligence reports quickly revealed that the perpetrators had fled across the porous India-Myanmar border and were regrouping in camps to plan further strikes.
Swift Retaliation: Operation Hot Pursuit
Just five days later, on June 9, 2015, the Indian Army launched a precision counter-operation. Approximately 70-72 commandos from the elite 21 Para (Special Forces) unit, supported by Indian Air Force helicopters including Mi-35 gunships for surveillance, executed raids on two militant camps inside Myanmar territory, along the Nagaland-Manipur border.
The commandos were inserted near the border, trekked through dense jungle, and struck the targets in operations lasting about 40 minutes each. Equipped with advanced assault rifles, rocket launchers, grenades, and night-vision gear, they inflicted heavy casualties—Indian sources reported between 38 and over 100 insurgents killed, with no losses on the Indian side.
The strikes destroyed key transit camps used by NSCN-K and its allies for launching attacks into India. Authorized at the highest levels, including by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the operation marked a proactive “hot pursuit” doctrine.
While official statements described actions “along the border,” government ministers and sources confirmed the incursions into Myanmar. Myanmar initially downplayed the cross-border aspect but later acknowledged coordination with India.
A Turning Point in India’s Security Policy
Operation Hot Pursuit sent a strong message: India would no longer tolerate safe havens for terrorists across its borders. It preceded the more widely known 2016 surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and contributed to a decline in major insurgent attacks from these groups in subsequent years.
This 2015 operation remains a landmark in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, showcasing precision, resolve, and a new era of strategic assertiveness in defending its sovereignty.
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