Guwahati/Dibrugarh, Nov. 20: Anti-insurgency operations were intensified today along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Tinsukia district but security officials remained sceptical about success until "a complete crackdown" is launched on militant camps in Myanmar.

The move follows yesterday's attack on a convoy of 15 Kumaon Regiment of the army at Pengeri that killed three jawans and injured four.

Assam director-general of police Mukesh Sahay told The Telegraph this afternoon that a meeting of police, army, paramilitary forces and intelligence officials held in Tinsukia this morning decided to conduct intelligence-based anti-insurgency operations in some pockets along the Assam-Arunachal border.

"The army, police and paramilitary forces have launched operations based on intelligence. Arunachal police will also assist the security forces," he said but refused to divulge details.

Minutes later, a joint statement issued by Ulfa (Independent) and Co-ordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella body of four Manipur-based outfits, claimed that their joint team had attacked the 15 Kumaon Regiment convoy as part of their "liberation movement for Western South East Asia". The militant groups named it "Operation Barak" and claimed to have snatched an AK-47 and an Insas rifle from the jawans.

Security forces had yesterday suspected the involvement of Ulfa (I) and NSCN (Khaplang) in the attack but had denied any snatching of arms.

Parts of Myanmar and the Northeast are referred to as Western South East Asia by the rebel groups. The CorCom and the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia are "fighting for sovereignty" of the region.

The CorCom comprises People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, Prepak (Progressive), Revolutionary People's Front and United National Liberation Front. The Ulfa (I), NSCN (K), NDFB (Songbijit) and Kamtapur Liberation Army had formed the Front in Myanmar in April last year.

The statement mailed to media houses was signed by "chief of army staffs" of Ulfa (I), Paresh Asom (Barua), and M.M. Ngouba, "chairman of joint military commission"of CorCom.

India has several times submitted lists of camps of Northeast-based outfits to Myanmar seeking a "complete crackdown". Security officials said since some of the areas in Myanmar are under the control of the outfits, militants get help from across the border.

Sources said Pengeri reserve forest in Upper Assam is a transit route for militants to reach their camps in Myanmar through Arunachal.

"The militants are well-acquainted with the thickly forested region but it is difficult for our security forces to go on a full offensive. They can easily run away to their camps in Myanmar after the attack and only a complete crackdown in Myanmar will make a difference," an army source said. A police source echoed him. Arunachal, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram share border with Myanmar.

Sahay today asked the superintendents of police of Tinsukia and neighbouring Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts to be more alert against militant activities.

More villagers fled their homes today fearing harassment by security forces. "We had faced harassment during Operation Bajrang in 1990s and now a similar situation has arisen. So we are leaving,'' said Kumud Sonowal, resident of Mullock Gaon. A marriage ceremony scheduled for today was also postponed.

Villagers said they had heard gunshots in the jungle but Sahay said no encounter has taken place so far.

Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi today alleged the BJP government did not heed intelligence inputs about fresh recruitment by outfits which resulted in the Pengeri attack. "Development activities have come to a standstill and unemployment has increased in the rural areas. Remote areas like Pengeri are suffering due to the policies of the Union and state governments and militancy is getting revived," he said in a statement.