New Delhi: A day after commencing military operations against Indian insurgent groups operating from its soil, Bhutan today (Dec 16, 2003) said its Army has suffered "some casualties" and the seriously injured have been evacuated by helicopters arranged by the Indian Army.

"The flushing-out operations against the militants are continuing," the Bhutanese Embassy said in a statement.

It said the Bhutanese Government gave notice to the three Indian separatist groups - the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation(KLO) - in the December 13 issue of the national daily 'Kuensel' that it was left with no option but to entrust the Army with the duty of removing the militants form its soil.

"After this notice of 48 hours, the Royal Bhutan Army started military action on December 15 against all the camps of these militants in Southern district of Samtse, Kalikhola sub-district, Sarpang, Nganglam sub-district, Samdrup, Jongkhar, Bhagtar sub-district and Daifam sub-district," it said.

PTI

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