Key points
- ULFA-I is an armed separatist insurgent organisation that operates in the Indian state of Assam
- It seeks to establish an independent sovereign nation state of Assam
- The strikes allegedly involved around 100 drones
ISLAMABAD: In a reported cross-border drone operation, the Indian Army is said to have targeted camps of the United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), or ULFA-I, located within Myanmar’s territory.
The United Liberation Front of Assam is an armed separatist insurgent organisation that operates in the Indian state of Assam. It seeks to establish an independent sovereign nation state of Assam for the indigenous Assamese people through an armed struggle via the Assam conflict.
The strikes, which took place early on July 13, allegedly involved around 100 drones and were aimed at dismantling the group’s bases near the international border.
According to India Today, the strikes may have resulted in the deaths of several ULFA-I members, including high-ranking figures.
Among the alleged casualties is Nayan Asom, a senior military commander within the group, although this remains unverified.
Another senior ULFA-I figure, known as Ganesh Axom (also referred to as Ganesh Lahon), has also reportedly been killed.
Separatist group confirms strikes
The United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) on Sunday claimed its camps were targeted.
According to The Hindu, the outfit said in a statement that the attack was carried out during the funeral ceremony for another senior leader, ‘Lieutenant General’ Nayan Asom, killed earlier in a drone attack by the “occupational forces”.
Unconfirmed reports from Myanmar’s Sagaing Division said some camps of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) also came under drone attacks.
The ULFA (I) and NSCN(K) are known to share camps in Myanmar, according to Indian media reports.
The ULFA (I) said “Brigadier” Ganesh Asom and “Colonel” Pradip Asom lost their lives in the missile attack early Sunday (July 13, 2025) morning. It also claimed that several other members of the outfit and some civilians were injured.
“The occupational forces have continued the attack in the areas using fighter jets. We want to tell the indigenous people of Assam that we will avenge this brutal attack carried out by the colonial nation,” the ULFA (I) warned.
Indian Army denies
Despite the scale of the reported attack, the Indian Army has not officially acknowledged any involvement. India Today quoted the Army’s public relations officer as stating that there were no updates or confirmations available regarding such an operation.
The airstrikes, if confirmed, would mark one of the most aggressive recent actions taken by Indian forces against insurgent networks operating from across the Myanmar border.
However, the lack of transparency and official communication raises questions about the broader implications of conducting military actions on foreign soil, especially in the absence of public accountability or diplomatic disclosure.
