In a significant strategic shift, the Indian Armed Forces have initiated stern counter-terror operations not only in India’s border areas but also beyond them. Following a firm warning from the Prime Minister to terrorists and their backers, and the launch of “Operation Sindoor” by Indian forces, terrorist camps even within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied territories have reportedly been targeted. For the first time, similar resolute actions have now extended towards India’s eastern frontier, specifically in the state of Manipur.
In recent days, Indian troops have reportedly begun cracking down on armed infiltrators and suspected terrorist groups entering Manipur from the Myanmar side. This move, long awaited by the people of the region, marks a critical turning point in New Delhi’s approach to the complex and prolonged crisis in the northeastern state. While the situation in Manipur has remained volatile for nearly two years, with multiple stakeholders and deep-seated ethnic tensions contributing to unrest, the alleged involvement of Myanmar-based armed groups has further complicated the security dynamics.
Public sentiment in Manipur has reflected growing frustration over what was perceived as delayed or inadequate response from the Indian security apparatus. The two-year crisis, marked by violence, displacement, and political deadlock, had taken a toll not just on lives but also on the people’s faith in institutions. There was a perceptible decline in trust towards the Indian Armed Forces, once seen as protectors and peacekeepers in the region. The inactivity, or at least the appearance of it, in the face of repeated cross-border intrusions, had led to doubts about New Delhi’s intent and capacity to restore peace.
However, the recent actions have started to change that perception. While still in the early stages, the move to counter insurgent infiltration from the Myanmar side has resonated positively among a significant section of the local population. The crackdown aligns with long-standing public demands for a stronger security response against external armed threats believed to be exacerbating internal strife.
What sets this development apart is its scope and timing. While counter-terror operations across the Pakistan border have often dominated national headlines, the northeast has remained a complex, often overlooked theatre. Yet, the presence of Myanmar-based armed groups, and their alleged collaboration with local insurgent outfits under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements, has long posed a national security threat. Intelligence reports and civil society feedback from Manipur suggest that these foreign-backed groups are not only providing logistical support to local militants but may also be a key driver behind the prolonged instability.
There is also growing speculation, not unfounded, that some of these foreign elements may have established operational alliances with Kuki armed groups, who remain under SoO arrangements with the Indian government. If true, this could represent a serious breach of the trust implicit in such agreements, further complicating the state’s already fragile peace process.
It is in this context that the current military action assumes both strategic and symbolic importance. Strategically, it signals a recalibrated doctrine—one that does not shy away from addressing cross-border threats in the northeast with the same intensity as those from the western front. Symbolically, it reassures the people of Manipur that their voices are being heard, and that the state’s security is not being treated as secondary to national interests but as integral to them.
However, it is essential that this renewed offensive be sustained, and accompanied by a coherent political and administrative roadmap. Military action alone cannot resolve the multi-layered conflict in Manipur. While it may succeed in curbing armed insurgency and cross-border threats, restoring lasting peace will require parallel efforts in governance, dialogue, and reconciliation across communities.
Moreover, if the allegations regarding misuse of the SoO framework are substantiated, the central government must undertake a serious review of these agreements. Agreements designed to promote peace must not become shields for armed groups to regroup or collaborate with external forces. Accountability, transparency, and a firm stance on violations must be enforced.
Ultimately, the broader Indian public stands united in the belief that terrorism—whether foreign-sponsored or locally enabled—has no place in the country. The people of Manipur, like all Indians, deserve peace, stability, and trust in national institutions. The recent actions by the Indian Armed Forces, though delayed, offer a glimmer of hope. If pursued consistently, with clarity of purpose and respect for civilian life, they could help heal the wounds of the past two years and restore the public’s trust—one step at a time.