Bhutan King leads troops to flush out Indian rebels

The Buddhist kingdom launched its biggest-ever military offensive on Monday against around 3,000 guerrillas who have set up camps in its southern jungles and have been battling New Delhi's rule in India's remote northeast.

India has been pressing Bhutan for years to take action against the rebels who used to dart across the border for hit-and-run operations.

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Bhutan, wedged between India and China, has rejected a cease-fire offer by the rebels and vowed to press on with its offensive in which more than 150 guerrillas have been killed.

About 500 rebels have surrendered to Bhutanese troops since the operation began.

"The king and his son are leading the troops in flushing Indian rebels out of Bhutanese soil," the government official, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters.

"Despite having led the troops, His Majesty is in good health and safe," he said, adding that the king was not directly involved in combat operations but was leading the troops.

As the operation entered its sixth day, the rebels fought back, killing a civilian and soldier, Indian police said.

A policeman said a group of heavily armed guerrillas with sophisticated weapons opened fire on a convoy of civilian vehicles, escorted by Bhutanese troops, about 40 km (25 miles) from the Indian border, killing two and wounding many others.

Rebel groups called a two-day general strike from Saturday in the northeastern Indian state of Assam and parts of West Bengal to protest against the military offensive in Bhutan, but residents did not respond to the call.

PTI adds: A 48-hour 'general strike' called by insurgent outfits ULFA, NDFB and KLO to protest military operations against them in Bhutan began in Assam last morning amidst tight security partially affecting normal life in the state.

Though most of the educational institutions were closed in Guwahati and in other parts of the state, offices remained open. However, people had difficulty reaching their work places due to skeleton public transport service.

Long distance trains and air services operated but long distance buses plied with police escort.

Shops and markets remained closed in the first few hours of the bandh, which began at 5:00 am, but started opening as people came out of their houses for daily needs.