Drone Attack on ULFA(I)? Claims, Denials, and Fallout So Far

Tensions have surged across Assam and neighbouring regions after the banned United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I) claimed that Indian armed forces carried out a deadly drone and missile strike on its camps located in Myanmar. The outfit alleged that multiple senior leaders were killed in the attack, and several others sustained serious injuries. The Indian Army, however, has categorically denied any involvement in such an operation.

ULFA(I)'s Allegations

Reportedly, ULFA (I) levelled allegations that the drone and missile strikes began around 2:00 AM on July 13 at its mobile camps situated along the India-Myanmar border in the Sagaing region. The outfit claimed that high-precision drones, allegedly of Israeli and French make, targeted its positions. ULFA(I) stated that three top leaders—Lieutenant General Nayan Medhi alias Nayan Asom, Brigadier Ganesh Asom, and Colonel Pradip Asom—were killed in the strike, and 19 others were seriously injured.

The outfit further claimed that the initial attack killed Nayan Asom during an attempt to rescue two ailing cadres. A second round of drone strikes allegedly occurred during his funeral, killing Ganesh Asom and Pradip Asom. The outfit has accused Indian forces of launching the assault from Indian territory and vowed to provide photographic evidence within a week.

"This attack was carried out four times using drones and missiles from the Indian side. The Indian Army is lying in its press statement. We will soon release photographs showing the destruction. It is 100% true," said ULFA(I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah in an audio message shared with media.

Baruah also rejected Indian government claims of ongoing dialogue with ULFA(I). “There is no dialogue. For the last four years, they’ve only said they want dialogue but never initiated one,” he said.

Army and Government Responses

The Indian Army has officially denied the allegations. Defence PRO Colonel MS Rawat stated in Guwahati: “There are no inputs with the Indian Army on any such operation.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the home portfolio, echoed this stance. “We have no official information about any strike. The Assam Police is not involved and no operation has been carried out from our soil. Whatever we know is based on Paresh Baruah’s public statement,” Sarma said, adding that the state government has not received any communication from the Centre regarding such a strike.

Political Reactions and Demands for Clarity

The reported incident has drawn strong reactions from political quarters. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the Centre of maintaining silence on a potentially sensitive military operation. “A drone strike of this magnitude cannot happen without the knowledge of top authorities, including the Union Home Minister. Is this another Operation Sindoor or a repeat of the dark days of secret killings?” Gogoi asked.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia demanded an official clarification from both the state and central governments. “What will happen to the peace process nurtured since 2023 if such attacks continue? We need to know who sanctioned this and why,” he said.

Voices from the Peace Camp

Pro-talk ULFA leader Anup Chetia confirmed receiving a personal call from Paresh Baruah informing him about the attack and the loss of senior leaders. He described Nayan Asom’s death as an act of sacrifice, saying, “He embraced martyrdom trying to save others.”

Chetia also hinted at broader geopolitical implications. “This may be linked to decisions taken at the recent BRICS summit in Brazil. A PLA camp was also attacked a few days ago. The region is tense,” he noted.

Calling for continued dialogue, Chetia emphasized, “This is a political issue. Peace cannot be bombed into existence. It must be built through talks.”

NSCN/GPRN's Condemnation

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (NSCN/GPRN) condemned the alleged drone strikes, calling them acts of Indian “fascist aggression.”

In a statement to media, the NSCN/GPRN said, “We are saddened by the tragic death of our fellow ULFA-I comrade Lt. Gen. Nayan Asom and others. This barbaric attack is proof of India’s imperialistic mindset. Our resistance will continue.”

The statement added that recent weeks have seen intensified military pressure on NSCN/GPRN cadres as well, warning that “India’s brutality will never break our spirit.”

AASU Reacts

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), while reiterating its ideological opposition to ULFA(I)’s methods, said it was “shaken and saddened” by the reported loss of Assamese lives. “This unprovoked and sudden attack could derail the ongoing peace efforts. We urge both sides to restore a climate of dialogue,” the students’ body said in an official release.

Myanmar’s Silence and Lack of Verification

As of now, there has been no official word from Myanmar regarding the alleged strike, despite ULFA(I)’s long-standing presence in the country’s border zones. Independent verification of the incident remains elusive, with no visual or satellite evidence released so far.

The reported strike allegedly took place in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region, near Longwa (Nagaland) and Pangsau Pass (Arunachal Pradesh), both sensitive and often inaccessible areas. Other insurgent groups like the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) from Manipur have also claimed aerial strikes on their bases recently.

ULFA(I): A Brief Background

Founded in 1979 with the aim of securing a sovereign Assam, the United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I) is the armed wing of the original ULFA, and has been operating under the leadership of commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah from bases along the India-Myanmar border. While peace talks have been ongoing with the pro-talk faction of ULFA, Baruah’s ULFA(I) has remained outside the negotiation framework, demanding full sovereignty.

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