Operation Leech

Operation Leech is the code name given to an armed operation carried in the Indo-Myanmar border. As the major player in SE Asia, India always sought to promote democracy and install friendly governments in the region. To these ends, India's external intelligence agency, R&AW, cultivated Burmese rebel groups and pro-democracy coalitions, especially the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). [Larry Jagan, BBC Online, 4 July 2000] India allowed KIA to carry a limited trade in jade and precious stones using Indian territory and even supplied them weapons. It is further alleged that KIA chief Maran Brangsein met the R&AW chief in Delhi twice.Fact|date=October 2007

However with increasing bonhomie between the Indian government and the Myanmar junta and KIA becoming the main source of training and weapons for all northeastern rebel groups, R&AW initiated an operation codenamed "Operation Leech", with the help of Army and paramilitary forces, to assassinate the leaders of the Burmese rebels as an example to other groups. [Subir Bhaumik (June, 2005). [http://www.india-seminar.com/2005/550/550%20subir%20bhaumik.htm Guns, drugs and rebel] "India-seminar.com". Accessed 2007-10-26.] Operation Leech is considered as a success but has been criticised on principle by many Human Rights group.

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