Sri Prakash Jaiswal in Tinsukia on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Jan. 8: Stung by the spate of Ulfa attacks on Hindi-speaking people, Delhi has asked the army to launch full-scale operations against the outfit in Upper Assam as well as tracts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Highly-placed sources in the army disclosed that the operations would aim at “total cleansing” of the rebel hideouts. This may entail shoot-at-sight orders being issued against militants, instead of mere search-and-arrest operations.

The sources said Union minister of state for home Sri Prakash Jaiswal, during his discussions with the army top brass in Dibrugarh and Guwahati yesterday, asked the forces to pull out all stops. The minister was categorical: “enough is enough”.

The minister indicated the government’s stand in public statements, saying that there would be no further initiative on the part of the government to bring the outfit to the negotiating table till it eschews violence.

Some of the military strategies adopted to flush out militants include sealing inter-state borders and launching major combing operations in the Upper Assam districts as well as neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

“So far, the operations were more of a routine nature, aimed at area domination. From now on, area-specific operations will be launched with full logistic back-up and sealing of borders to cut off all escape routes for the militants,” the official said.

Ulfa militants often sneak into neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh through the dense jungles contiguous to Tinsukia district.

Jaiswal yesterday held closed door meetings with the general officer commanding (GOC), 4 Corps, Lt Gen. R.K. Chhabra, which was described as “a precursor to the operations”. The strategy would be discussed and, if necessary, fine-tuned during the meeting of top army officials with defence minister A.K. Antony, who is scheduled to visit the 4 Corps headquarters at Tezpur accompanied by chief of army staff, Gen. J.J. Singh, tomorrow.

Another highlight of the strategy would be a periodic review of the outcome. “This will be a time-bound operation as the Centre wants results within six months,” a senior army official said.

Jaiswal has told the GOC that utmost care should be taken to preclude civilian casualties.