It took a major operation in December 1953 involving the army and the air force to bring the culprits to book. Though primarily conducted by the Assam Rifles, this was the first time in independent India that the Indian armed forces stepped into NEFA operationally—three companies of the Parachute Regiment, the mortar platoon of 1 Garhwal Rifles, twenty-two signalmen, six Harwards from No. 17 Squadron, six Spitfires from No. 14 Squadron and five Dakotas from No. 5 Squadron.
