Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA2490
2005-06-01 08:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

REPORTED BDR/RAB CLASH WITH INDIAN INSURGENTS

Tags:  PTER PHUM SNAR PREL IN BG 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002490 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2010
TAGS: PTER PHUM SNAR PREL IN BG
SUBJECT: REPORTED BDR/RAB CLASH WITH INDIAN INSURGENTS


Classified By: P/E Counselor D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4 d.


C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002490

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2010
TAGS: PTER PHUM SNAR PREL IN BG
SUBJECT: REPORTED BDR/RAB CLASH WITH INDIAN INSURGENTS


Classified By: P/E Counselor D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4 d.



1. (SBU) On May 27, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Rapid Action
Battalion (RAB) personnel killed six Indian insurgents in a
gunfight in Kamalganj, five kilometers from the border with
Tripura state, according to local press reports. Bangladeshi
security forces also reportedly launched a drive in the
border areas of Jhenaigati in Sherpur district to root out
Indian rebel hideouts on Bangladeshi territory. BDG
officials, however, were quoted as saying the crackdown was
on gunrunners. An unnamed BDR source speculated there might
be links between the insurgents and recent grenade attacks in
Bangladesh, but denied insurgents have any permanent base in
Bangladesh.


2. (C) A respected Bangladeshi journalist told us that a
Directorate General Forces Intelligence (DGFI) official
informed him that the encounter followed a GOI ultimatum to
the BDG to act by May 31 against Indian insurgents using
Bangladeshi territory and that DGFI warned some insurgent
groups beforehand of the action. A human rights activist
with periodic contact with ULFA activists told us that one of
the latter denied to him that the dead insurgents belonged to
ULFA but were from another small group. RAB, the activist
reportedly said, seized 10 million taka (about USD 159,00)
from the insurgents' hideout. (Note: He was unclear whether
the recovered currency was taka or something else). The
activist blamed Home Minister of State Babar personally for
orchestrating the attack, and indicated that if BDG security
forces continue their offensive, insurgents might be forced
to retaliate against Bangladeshi targets.


3. (C) We are attempting to verify through our own sources
the reported Bangladeshi offensive against Indian insurgents.
Queried on May 31, the Indian High Commission shared no
substantive information.


4. (C) Comment: This is the first time in recent memory that
the BDG has acted against or indirectly acknowledged the
presence of Indian insurgents using Bangladeshi territory.
It is trying to walk a fine line by apparently backgrounding
the press that there was a concerted assault on Indian
insurgents while publicly officials maintain the encounter
was against "miscreants" and "gunrunners." It is unclear why
the BDG would have changed tack and potentially set a
precedent for attacking insurgents, though some speculate the
BDG wants to bolster Indo-Bangladeshi atmospherics before the
Foreign Secretary talks begin June 20.
CHAMMAS