ULFA-I Claims 3 Militant Leaders Dead In 'Indian Drone Strikes' In Myanmar; Indian Army Denies Operation

Guwahati: Three top leaders of the proscribed Myanmar-based militant group ULFA (Independent) were killed in alleged drone strikes on Sunday, with the group claiming the attack was carried out from India.

The drone attacks took place in the early hours of Sunday, along the India-Myanmar border from Longwa in Nagaland to Pangsau Pass in Arunachal Pradesh.

Targets included various camps belonging to ULFA-I and RPF/PLA. Among those killed were high-ranking ULFA-I leaders, including Nayan Asom (President of the lower council), Ganesh Asom, and Pradip Asom. Several other officials and members in various camps were also reported injured.

ULFA-I issued a statement confirming the attacks and the deaths of three of their members. In a press release issued by Second Lieutenant Ishan Asom, Assistant Secretary of ULFA-I's publicity department, the group claimed the Indian Army was responsible for the attacks.

"Today, July 13, 2025, from approximately 2 AM to 4 AM, the Indian Army launched a surprise attack using Israeli and French-made drones on various mobile camps of 'United Liberation Front, Assam (Independent)' and 'RPF/PLA' along the Nagaland-Myanmar international border from Longwa to Arunachal-Myanmar international border Pangsau Pass," it read. ULFA-I further claimed that over 150 drones dropped bombs on their camps.

Indian Army, Assam CM Deny Claims

The India Army denied the claims of involvement in the attack. Talking to IANS from Guwahati, Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, PRO Defence Guwahati, said, "There are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also asserted that the state police were not involved in any such drone attack. Addressing the media, Sarma refuted speculation about the state police's role in a reported incident, asserting, “Assam Police is not involved in this incident. There has been no strike from the soil of Assam.”

It may be noted that ULFA (I), headed by Paresh Barua, is now left with only one senior functionary, Arunodoy Dohotiya, who is in Myanmar. Another senior ULFA (I) commander operating out of Myanmar camps, Rupom Asom, was arrested by Assam Police in May. Sources revealed that Baruah, who has deep links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was reportedly staying in bordering areas of China-Myanmar-India (Arunachal Pradesh), is at the lowest point of his militant career.

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