3 Top ULFA(I) Leaders Killed In Drone Attacks Near Myanmar Border, No Confirmation From Army

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 22:40 IST

The proscribed ULFA(I), who seemed to be the target, claimed the attacks on its camps along the Myanmar border as having been carried out by the Indian Army

Despite the significant impact of the operation, neither the Indian Army nor Assam Rifles confirmed their involvement. (Image for representation: X)

There are reports that the Indian Army conducted drone strikes in Myanmar, though there is no official confirmation from the military or defence sources.

The proscribed ULFA(I), who seemed to be the target, claimed the attacks on its camps along the Myanmar border as having been carried out by the Indian Army.

More than 100 armed drones were reportedly launched in a pre-dawn operation between 2 to 4 am on Sunday, targeting insurgent bases in Myanmar’s Sagaing region.

The strikes focused on the Naga Self-Administered Zone, hitting locations such as ULFA(I)’s Eastern Command headquarters at Hoyat Basti and 779 Camp in Waktham Basti. Additionally, camps of the NSCN-K, PLA, and RPF were also struck by Indian drones.

The ULFA(I), in a press statement, said Nayan Asom alias Nayan Medhi, who was the ‘chairman’ of its ‘lower council’, was killed in the attacks. It said two other senior leaders, ‘brigadier’ Ganesh Asom and ‘colonel’ Pradip Asom, were killed in the second round of attacks during Nayan Asom’s funeral. At least 19 others were injured, it added. 

The ULFA(I) has declared India as the aggressor and threatened retaliation.

According to sources, the drones used in the operation are believed to be Israeli and French-made combat UAVs known for their high-precision strike capabilities. Despite the significant impact of the operation, neither the army nor Assam Rifles confirmed their involvement.

The sources, however, suggested that the operation might have been coordinated with Myanmar’s military junta though there is no official statement yet.

They said the targeted areas are protected by China-linked private security companies due to their role in safeguarding Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Sagaing has become a sanctuary for insurgents from India’s northeast amid Myanmar’s civil conflict.

They added that this operation marks India’s first known use of mass drone swarms in a cross-border counter-insurgency. The follow-up funeral strike indicates a deliberate, layered targeting strategy with a zero-tolerance approach.

The ULFA(I) has accused India of colonial occupation and warned of armed retaliation in Assam and northeast, the sources said. This action bears similarities to earlier Indian operations, such as the 2015 Myanmar raids but witnessed advanced aerial technology.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, meanwhile, denied involvement of the state police or any attack from its soil stating that “things will be clearer towards the evening".

“The Assam Police is not involved in it and no attack has been carried out from our soil," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of an official visit to Golaghat district.

Sarma said in case of such operations, the army comes out with a statement, but nothing has been issued so far. “More information is required on the matter… I think it will be clearer by evening," he said.

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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News india 3 Top ULFA(I) Leaders Killed In Drone Attacks Near Myanmar Border, No Confirmation From Army