Dimapur, April 26: In a decision that can change the nature and scale of counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, the army has resolved to use high-resolution satellite photographs from the controversial Google Earth search engine.

The decision to subscribe to Google Earth, the website that can display maps and visuals through satellite imagery, was taken by the army?s 3 Corps based at Rangapahar here last week, chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Ashok Samantaray, told this correspondent.

?We will make extensive use of the satellite imagery for operations against insurgents in the hilly terrain and in the semi-urban areas of the region,? he added.

The army will acquire a paid account in Google Earth to gain access to ?extra information? over what is available free on the website. The search engine has two paid versions, Google Earth Plus and Google Earth Pro.

Army sources admitted that the Google pictures may not exactly show the militant hideouts as most of them are located deep inside forests. They, however, added that the satellite pictures would be able to pick out the green cover and the terrain clearly, enabling the forces to plan much better. They said it would be like flying over the area physically, instead of depending on two dimensional contour or relief maps.

?We can use the images for geo-mapping the places where we can go and how. We will know where is a slope or where is a bald patch when supplies are dropped from the air,? said the GOC.

An army official involved in counter-insurgency operations said, ?Our response will be much better as time and planning are important?.

However, the new website by Google ? the world?s most used search engine ? has courted controversy from the very beginning as it lays bare vital installations like army bases and government buildings like Rashtrapati Bhavan and can be easily accessed by terrorist groups also.

The 3 Corps? area of operation includes Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and also parts of Assam. Its greatest challenge, however, is in Manipur where a multiplicity of multi-ethnic militant groups and a diverse terrain pose problems.

Army officials said they have control over most parts of Manipur, except the densely-forested Samtal area, which is not accessible to the army. With the high-tech add-on, the army will be logistically better off. In towns like Imphal, the army will be able to get the latest satellite pictures and have a close range idea of the town on a sustained basis.

But then, outfits like the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) ? which is known to keep itself technologically upgraded ? can also use the web facility against the army.

?If they use it, let them. But can they convert it into action?? Gen. Samantaray asked. He said the army could develop better tactics based on the satellite images than the militant outfits.

The move will help both India and Myanmar, sources said. The Myanmar army is now acting against Indian rebels operating from its soil.