Myanmar denies clashes between Indian army, ethnic group

Nay Pyi Taw, Aug 22 (IANS) Myanmar military authorities have denied that there was a recent exchange of gunfire on its soil between Indian army and a rebellion ethnic group -- the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (khaplang) (NSCN-K), the media reported on Monday.

The denial referred to some media reports that the Army entered Myanmar territory and fought with the NSCN-K on August 19 and that the fighting lasted for three hours, Xinhua news agency reported.

Myanmar military's information quoted witnesses as saying that the gun battle between NSCN-K and NSCN-IM occurred inside India, one mile west of the Myanmar-India border, and not in Myanmar.

However, Myanmar military columns on the border were on full alert to ward off foreign troops from entering the country, the military authorities said.

Myanmar would neither accept nor encourage any armed group to station on its soil to potentially terrorise the government, it said.

The authorities insisted that Myanmar armed forces was working in tandem with Indian army and rendering cooperation in patrolling the border and exchanging information.

In June 2015, there were clashes between the Indian army and the rebel group near Myanmar-India border.

Myanmar army then assured India of not tolerating any rebel groups active on its soil.