PM Modi ordered 'hot pursuit' after Manipur ambush: Union Minister

"It has become a habit for these militants to strike at the Indian Army or paramilitary forces or citizens of the nation and then cross over into safe havens being confident of the fact that Indian Armed forces will not pursue them... Unprecedented though, but our Prime Minister has taken a very bold step and given a go ahead for hot pursuit into Myanmar," Rathore told NDTV.

He also confirmed that Indian armed forces "crossed over into Myanmar and carried out strikes on two of the militant camps, annihilating the entire camps and they have returned back safely."

He also told the channel that the Indian Army was supported by Myanmar Army.

When asked if there is a message that the government is trying to send to other countries like Pakistan, he said, "It is undoubtedly a message to all nations that harbour any intentions - be it the west or the specific country we went into right now. Even if there are groups within countries that harbour terror intentions, we will choose the time and the place of hitting them."

On Tuesday, Major General Ranbir Singh, Additional Director General of Military Operations (A) said: "You are all aware that following the attack on our security personnel on 04 June 2015 in Chandel, Manipur, we have been on a high alert. In the course of the last few days, credible and specific intelligence was received about further attacks that were being planned within our territory. These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies. "

"In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary. Based on intelligence, we conducted operations to counter these planned assaults. Early this morning, the Indian Army engaged two separate groups of insurgents along the Indo- Myanmar border at two locations, along the Nagaland and Manipur borders. Significant casualties have been inflicted on them. As a consequence, threats to our civilian population and security forces were averted," Singh had said.

He had said India and Myanmar authorities are in touch with each other over the issue.

"We are in communication with the Myanmar authorities on this matter. There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism," he had said.

In what is being described as the worst casualties of the Army, 18 soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer were killed and at least 11 injured when militants ambushed their convoy in Manipur's Chandel district on Thursday morning.