Mishra’s Bhutan mission on ULFA

In a hush-hush visit to Thimpu on Thursday, National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra made it clear to Bhutanese authorities that it was important to weed out every possible support that the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was receiving there. Sources said the visit was prompted by reports that Bhutanese officials were visiting ULFA camps in India. Mishra is said to have met the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, and conveyed New Delhi’s apprehensions over the matter. The King has apparently agreed to cooperate in removing every sign of local support to ULFA militants in Bhutan.

According to Government sources, India and Bhutan had carried out several joint operations, including the use of artillery, to destroy rebel camps active along the border. A mechanism of joint patrol was also devised. New Delhi has, in fact, been providing considerable military support to Bhutan through its base at Imtrat.

Sources said intelligence and BSF officials also paid simultaneous visits to Bhutan to assess the situation.