The Indian Army has denied claims that it carried out drone strikes on the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) headquarters in eastern Myanmar.
ULFA (I) on Sunday alleged that the Indian Army launched a drone attack in the early hours. The group claimed the strike targeted its eastern base, resulting in 19 deaths and 19 injuries among its cadres.
The outfit stated in a press note that senior ULFA (I) commander Nayan Medhi died in the attack.
Some Manipuri insurgents, including members of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), were also reportedly killed or injured.
In an official response, the Indian Army dismissed the allegations. The denial follows reports that these cross-border attacks could be linked to internal conflict among banned insurgent groups.
Sources said the group’s leader, Paresh Baruah, has strong links to Pakistan’s ISI and was last seen in the tri-border area of China, Myanmar, and India.
His group is now at its weakest, with only one senior leader, Arunodoy Dohotiya, left in Myanmar.
The ULFA (I) drone strike claim comes at a time when Myanmar, under military rule, is battling insurgent outfits. These groups often use the India-Myanmar border to set up bases.
Assam Police arrested another ULFA (I) commander, Rupom Asom, in May. In the same month, Indian forces killed 10 militants near the Myanmar border in Manipur’s Chandel district.
The border tensions and militant activity remain a serious concern for Indian security agencies.
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