Surgical strike on Myanmar : Alleged that done by India.
Surgical strike on Myanmar : Indian Army Denies Drone Strikes on ULFA-I Camps in Myanmar Amid Insurgent Claims of Casualties.
Let’s understand the Case in BIRDVIEW…
What is the context and claim of Surgical strike on Myanmar?
- The Indian Army has categorically denied claims made by the banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I).
- That India carried out drone strikes on the group’s camps in Myanmar, resulting in multiple casualties, including high-ranking leaders.
On Sunday, ULFA-I released a series of statements alleging that its eastern headquarters, located in the jungles of Myanmar near the India border, was attacked by Indian military drones between 2 am and 4 am.
- The outfit claimed that the cross-border strikes killed at least 19 of its cadres and injured another 19.
- Among the dead, it said, was its self-styled lieutenant general, Nayan Medhi, also known as Nayan Asom.
ULFA-I further alleged that over 150 drones—purportedly of Israeli and French origin—were used.
- In a coordinated assault targeting camps along the Myanmar border stretching from Longwa in Nagaland to the Pangsai Pass in Arunachal Pradesh.
ULFA- I 2nd Statement related Surgical strike on Myanmar…
- In a second release later that day, ULFA-I claimed that additional strikes occurred during the funeral rites of Medhi, killing two more top commanders—self-styled brigadier Ganesh Asom and colonel Pradip Asom—in a missile attack.
- The outfit said several officers, cadres, and civilians were also injured.
- The statement, issued by a second lieutenant identified as Ishan Asom, described the attack as a “missile assault by Indian occupational forces” and vowed retaliation.
What is the Indian army’s statement related to Surgical strike on Myanmar ?
- However, the Indian Army firmly refuted the allegations.
- “There are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation,” Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, Defence PRO based in Guwahati, told to media.
- A senior Army official in Nagaland echoed the same, stating there had been no actionable intelligence or confirmation of operations along the Myanmar border in recent days.
Independent verification of ULFA-I’s claims remains elusive.
News outlets, including Hindustan Times, have been unable to confirm the authenticity of the group’s statements or verify the extent of the alleged assault.
What if this claim of Surgical strike on Myanmar is true ?
- If true, this would mark the second alleged drone strike on ULFA-I camps in Myanmar in the last 18 months.
- In January 2024, ULFA-I claimed Indian forces had targeted a camp across the border, injuring two of its cadres.
- That claim, too, was denied by Indian authorities.
What is ULFA – I ?
- ULFA-I (United Liberation Front of Assam – Independent) is a separatist militant group seeking Assam’s independence through armed struggle.
- Formed as a breakaway faction of ULFA, it is led by Paresh Baruah and they claims to promotes Assamese nationalism and socialism.
- Unlike pro-talk ULFA factions, ULFA-I has rejected peace talks and remains active, operating mainly in Assam with bases in Myanmar and possibly China.
- China funds and weaponising this group against India.
What is the Current situation of ULFA- I?
- Recent developments indicate the group may be facing its most significant losses in years.
- In May 2025, senior commander Rupom Asom was arrested by Assam Police.
- With Nayan Medhi allegedly dead, Baruah now has only one senior leader left—Arunodoy Dohotiya—stationed in Myanmar, significantly weakening the group’s leadership.
- Sources familiar with security developments along the India-Myanmar border suggest that growing instability in Myanmar, ruled by the military junta (Tatmadaw), has allowed several insurgent outfits.
- including ULFA-I and Manipuri groups like the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and its armed wing, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), to maintain camps in the Myanmar region.
- Clashes near the border have raised concerns within India’s security establishment, especially after a May 2025 encounter in Manipur’s Chandel district where 10 militants were killed.
- Some intelligence sources speculate that internal power struggles or conflict among insurgent groups could be behind the latest reports of attacks, rather than external military action.
Other armed organisation of Assam who surrendered to India?
- Several militant groups in Assam have surrendered and joined the mainstream in recent years.
- particularly under various peace initiatives and rehabilitation programs by the Indian and Assam governments.
Some prominent examples include:
United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA):
- A significant development was the signing of a peace pact with the Indian and Assam governments in December 2023, where the ULFA agreed to cease violence and disband their organization.
Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA):
- This group signed a peace agreement with the Government of India and the Government of Assam in April 2023, agreeing to surrender arms, give up violence, and join the mainstream.
Adivasi Groups:
- In separate events, several Adivasi extremist groups have laid down arms and signed peace accords, including the Adivasi People’s Army, Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam, All Adivasi National Liberation Army, Birsa Commando Force, and Santhal Tiger Force.
- Notably, 1,182 members of these groups surrendered in July 2023.
Adivasi People’s Liberation Army (APLA):
- In June 2023, nearly 40 APLA cadres surrendered their arms to security forces in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.
The government implements rehabilitation schemes for these surrendered militants.
Government offering support for reintegration into society through programs like skill development and financial assistance, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Assam government sources.
As of now, the Indian Army has maintained its stance, denying any involvement in cross-border drone strikes, while ULFA-I continues to assert its narrative, fueling tension and uncertainty in the region.