Myanmar violence: India raises 'serious concern'

At least 89 people, including a dozen security forces, were killed as Rohingya militants besieged border posts in northern Rakhine State.

New Delhi, Aug 26: Extending its "strong" support to the Myanmarese government at this "challenging moment", India on Saturday raised "serious concern" over the report of renewed violence and attacks in Myanmar.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "India is seriously concerned by reports of renewed violence and attacks by terrorists in the northern Rakhine State of Myanmar. We are deeply saddened at the loss of lives among members of the Myanmar security forces".

"Such attacks deserve to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We hope that the perpetrators of these crimes will be brought to justice and we extend our strong support at this challenging moment to the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar," Kumar said.

At least 89 people, including a dozen security forces, were killed as Rohingya militants besieged border posts in northern Rakhine State.

The militants launched the attacks overnight Thursday on more than two dozen police and border outposts. The office of Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, said military and border police responded to the attacks -- which left 12 security personnel and 77 Rohingya dead -- by launching "clearance operations."

PTI