ULFA(I) Claims Drone Strikes by Indian Army on Myanmar Border Camps, Defence Denies Any Operation
ULFA(I) Alleges Indian Army Drone Attack on Myanmar Border Camps, Defence Denies Involvement
In a major development that has stirred fresh tensions in India’s northeastern insurgency landscape, the banned United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) has alleged that the Indian Army carried out drone attacks on its camps along the India-Myanmar border early Sunday morning. According to ULFA(I), the strikes targeted several mobile camps, resulting in the death of a senior commander and injuries to at least 19 cadres.
However, a defence spokesperson has categorically denied any knowledge of such an operation. Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, speaking from Guwahati, stated, “There are no inputs with the Indian Army of such an operation.”
ULFA(I)’s Allegation: Drone Strikes and Casualties
In a statement released through unofficial communication channels, ULFA(I) claimed that Indian drones targeted their mobile hideouts situated near the Myanmar border, where the insurgent group maintains multiple operational camps. The group further stated that one of their senior leaders was killed on the spot, and 19 others sustained injuries in the attack, some critically.
While the insurgent outfit has not released the identity of the deceased commander, the scale of alleged casualties suggests it was a significant offensive, if verified.
The authenticity of this claim remains unconfirmed, and the Indian Army has issued no statement suggesting military activity in that region.
Army Denial and Official Position
The official stance remains firm. Lt Col Rawat’s denial highlights the lack of intelligence input or operational report regarding any such strike. This comes amid heightened sensitivity along the India-Myanmar border, where insurgent activities by various militant outfits, including ULFA(I), NSCN(K), and PLA, have continued despite repeated crackdowns.
Security analysts suggest the Army’s silence could be due to operational confidentiality, or that the ULFA(I) may be amplifying internal incidents for propaganda or sympathy.
Background: ULFA(I) and Cross-Border Safe Havens
ULFA(I), led by Paresh Baruah, has long maintained sanctuaries across the porous Myanmar border, particularly in the Sagaing region. Though the Indian government has requested coordinated counterinsurgency cooperation from Myanmar, limited on-ground collaboration and the presence of junta rule have complicated enforcement.
Insurgent camps operate with relative impunity, and cross-border anti-terror strikes, though rare, have occurred in the past — most notably Operation Sunrise conducted jointly with the Myanmar Army in 2019.
NIA Chargesheet Adds Pressure on ULFA(I)
Adding another layer to this narrative is the recent chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against three key ULFA(I) operatives — Paresh Baruah, Abhijit Gogoi, and Jahnu Boruah. The trio has been accused of orchestrating a series of IED blasts in Assam, particularly at the Dispur Last Gate in Guwahati, during the 2023 Independence Day celebrations.
The NIA investigation, which began in September 2024, found that the IEDs were planted to:
- Cause civilian casualties and infrastructure damage
- Instill fear among the public
- Undermine India’s sovereignty and unity
The charges have been framed under multiple laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Substances Act.
Security Concerns and Political Ramifications
The claim of drone attacks — if validated — would mark a notable shift in India’s counterinsurgency strategy, signaling the use of remote and precision weaponry to neutralize threats across international boundaries. However, it also raises questions on coordination with Myanmar, the risk of civilian fallout, and retaliatory threats by ULFA(I) and allied groups.
Additionally, this development could influence electoral politics in Assam and the Northeast, where issues of national security and cross-border infiltration are prominent.
Conclusion
As tensions escalate between insurgent groups and Indian security agencies, the alleged drone attack by the Army — despite denials — reflects a complicated security scenario in the Northeast. With ULFA(I)’s narrative gaining traction and legal action intensifying via the NIA, the coming weeks will be critical in determining how India balances internal security, border diplomacy, and regional stability.