Guwahati/New Delhi, July 14, 2025 – The ULFA‑Independent faction (ULFA‑I), led Paresh Baruah, has accused the Indian Army of orchestrating a covert drone and missile operation inside Myanmar’s Sagaing region, said to have killed three high-ranking commanders. The army has firmly denied any such involvement.
🚁 What ULFA‑I Claims
- Night raid: The group says a coordinated strike hit multiple mobile camps between 2 AM and 4 AM on July 13, using a fleet of 100–150 Israeli- and French-made drones, followed missile attacks during funeral rites. The Week+13ThePrint+13ABP Live+13
- Commanders killed: According to ULFA‑I, “Lieutenant General” Nayan Medhi (Nayan Asom) was killed in the first wave. Two others – Brigadier Ganesh Asom and Colonel Pradip Asom – were reportedly struck during Medhi’s last rites. ABP Live+10ThePrint+10India Sentinels+10
- Casualty figures: The group claims three senior leaders and around 19 cadres died, with another 19 injured. Wikipedia+5Moneycontrol+5India Sentinels+5
- Wider impact: They also allege strikes hit camps of other northeastern factions including the NSCN‑K and Manipur-based PLA’s RPF wing. Wikipedia+15Moneycontrol+15The Times of India+15
🛑 Official Denials
- Indian Army: Declared it has “no inputs” confirming any strikes. Wikipedia+15The Week+15ThePrint+15
- Assam authorities: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state police echoed the denial, stating India’s soil was not used, and developments are being closely monitored. India Today+5ThePrint+5India Today+5
- Analysts’ view: Some security experts suggest the fatalities might instead stem from Myanmar’s own internal clashes between ethnic armed groups. India Sentinels+1The Times of India+1
🌍 Broader Context
- Historical precedent: India has previously carried out cross-border operations, such as the 2015 “Hot Pursuit” raid and the 2019 joint Operation Sunrise, targeting northeast insurgent camps in Myanmar. indiandefensenews.in+8Wikipedia+8India Sentinels+8
- Myanmar’s civil unrest: Since the 2021 coup, the Sagaing region has been a chaotic zone—with insurgent groups and Myanmar junta forces clashing, complicating attribution of such strikes. The Times of India+2thesangaiexpress.com+2The Times of India+2
- Insurgent networks: ULFA‑I reportedly maintains around 250 cadres across multiple camp zones near the India–Myanmar border. The Economic Times+15India Sentinels+15The Times of India+15
🧩 What’s Next
- Verification efforts: Independent confirmation remains elusive. Indian and Myanmar government sources are being monitored.
- Likely repercussions: If India is behind the strikes, militant groups could retaliate. Conversely, Myanmar insurgents might exploit the ambiguity.
- Diplomatic response: Whether this escalates India–Myanmar tensions will depend on official statements from both capitals.
This incident underscores the opaque and sensitive nature of regional cross-border counter-insurgency. With conflicting narratives and no clarity on the perpetrators, the truth behind the strike remains shrouded—bringing renewed attention to the volatile security dynamics along the India–Myanmar frontier.
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