New Delhi: The banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) has alleged that the Indian Army carried out drone strikes on its eastern headquarters in Myanmar, resulting in the death of 19 cadres and injuries to 19 others.
The Indian Army, however, has categorically denied any involvement in such an operation.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, ULFA-I claimed that the early morning strikes targeted their base in Myanmar’s territory near the Indian border.
The outfit also claimed that senior commander Nayan Medhi was among those killed.
Reports suggest that cadres from other insurgent outfits, including the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF)—the political wing of Manipur’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA)—were also present at the camp and sustained casualties.
Responding to the claims, Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, PRO Defence Guwahati, told IANS, “There are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation.”
The ULFA-I, led by fugitive leader Paresh Barua, is believed to have limited operational leadership remaining in Myanmar, with Arunodoy Dohotiya being the only senior commander still active in the region. Another key figure, Rupom Asom, was arrested by Assam Police in May this year.
Sources in the security establishment indicate that internal rifts among banned outfits could have triggered the incident, rather than any cross-border offensive by India.
ULFA-I’s declining strength and Barua’s increasingly isolated position—reportedly with links to Pakistan’s ISI and operating near the China-Myanmar-India tri-junction—have also raised questions about the outfit’s current capabilities.
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The India-Myanmar border has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity, with militant groups often using the porous terrain to establish bases.
Myanmar’s internal conflict, under military rule by the Tatmadaw, has further destabilised the region.
In May 2025, at least 10 militants were killed in a confrontation with Indian security forces in Manipur’s Chandel district, underscoring continued security concerns along the frontier.
