Assam CM Responds to Reported Strike on ULFA(I) Camp

Amid reports of a missile or drone strike on a United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) camp leading to the deaths of top insurgent leaders, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday issued a measured response, stating that the state government is yet to receive official confirmation regarding the alleged operation.

Speaking to the press, the Chief Minister clarified that the Assam Police had no involvement in the reported strike and that no offensive action was launched from Assam's territory.

"Assam Police is not involved in this incident. There has been no strike from the soil of Assam," CM Sarma said, addressing speculation about state involvement.

He added that while the incident is being closely monitored, more information is needed before drawing conclusions. "We need additional clarity on the matter. If such an operation has taken place, the Indian Army will issue its own statement. As of now, we have not received any official clarification from their side," the Chief Minister stated.

CM Sarma expressed hope that a clearer picture will emerge by evening, suggesting that the state government is actively engaged in gathering details through official channels.

The Chief Minister’s comments follow a statement issued earlier in the day by the banned insurgent group ULFA(I), which claimed that its camp was targeted in a missile strike during the funeral of senior leader Lt. Gen. Nayan Asom. The outfit accused Indian security forces of carrying out a "barbaric" attack that resulted in the deaths of high-ranking commanders Brigadier Ganesh Asom and Colonel Pradip Asom, among others.

While ULFA(I) has vowed to retaliate, there has been no confirmation or response from the Ministry of Defence or the Indian Army at the time of filing this report.

The alleged strike and its fallout have once again brought the decades-long insurgency issue in Assam back into focus, even as the state government continues to push for peace and dialogue with remaining armed factions.

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