ULFA(I) Alleges Indian Drone Strike in Myanmar; Indian Army Denies Involvement

The banned militant group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) has accused India of launching a major cross-border drone and missile strike on its camps located in Myanmar’s Sagaing province, close to the Indian border.

In a statement issued by ULFA(I), the group claimed that the strikes occurred early Sunday morning (July 13), targeting its eastern headquarters in Waktham Basti, as well as another camp in Hoyat Basti. The group alleges that 19 of its cadres were killed and another 19 injured in the attack. Among those reportedly killed was Nayan Medhi, also known as Nayan Asom, a senior ULFA(I) commander. The group further claimed that an additional commander was killed during Medhi’s funeral when another missile reportedly struck the site.

The targeted camps are believed to be ULFA(I)’s Camp 779 in Waktham Basti and the eastern headquarters in Hoyat Basti, both in Myanmar’s Sagaing province, which borders India’s northeastern states. The ULFA(I), led by fugitive commander Paresh Baruah, has been operating out of Myanmar since insurgency activities in Assam significantly declined over the past decade and a half.

Indian Military Denies Conducting Strikes

Despite ULFA(I)’s allegations, official sources within the Indian Army and Air Force have strongly denied any cross-border military action. “There are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation,” said Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, PRO, Defence, Guwahati.

Myanmar’s government has also not issued any statement acknowledging such an incident. Historically, the Indian Army has announced cross-border actions openly, notably in 2015, when a press conference followed its operation against NSCN(I) militants after an ambush on Indian soldiers in Manipur.

Strikes Reportedly Target Multiple Militant Groups

According to unconfirmed reports, the recent alleged strike may have also targeted camps belonging to other Northeast-based insurgent groups, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-I) and Manipuri outfits like the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These camps are reportedly situated in Myanmar’s forested regions along its borders with India and China.

The conflict zone has become increasingly volatile as Myanmar’s junta government loses control over large parts of the country, with armed resistance groups gaining ground. It has allowed several anti-India militant groups to establish safe havens in border areas.

Paresh Baruah’s Whereabouts and NIA Charges

ULFA(I)’s top leader, Paresh Baruah, has been missing from public view for several years and is believed to be hiding near the China-Myanmar or Bangladesh borders. He reportedly has longstanding links with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. In March 2025, intelligence reports indicated that he had moved from Ruili to Yunnan, China, allegedly with the assistance of Chinese facilitation.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently filed a chargesheet against Baruah and two others for allegedly planning multiple IED attacks in Guwahati on Independence Day in 2024.

Baruah is also believed to be seeking Chinese support to revive insurgent networks across Myanmar and Bangladesh, reportedly in exchange for backing Beijing’s 60,000 MW dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

Regional Tensions Escalate

The India-Myanmar border remains a security hotspot. In May 2025, at least 10 militants were killed during an encounter with Indian security forces in Manipur’s Chandel district. Meanwhile, just days before the alleged ULFA(I) strike, Myanmar’s junta conducted an air raid on a Buddhist monastery in Sagaing province, claiming it was sheltering rebels.

ULFA(I) is now believed to be operating with diminished leadership. Apart from Paresh Baruah, only one senior leader, Arunodoy Dohotiya, is reportedly still active in Myanmar. Another commander, Rupom Asom, was arrested by Assam Police in May.

Team BharatShakti