Longwa, Nagaland | July 13, 2025— In a shocking escalation of regional tensions, separatist militants in northeastern India claimed that the Indian Army launched a cross-border drone strike into Myanmar on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of three high-ranking leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). The controversial operation reportedly targeted multiple insurgent camps near the Indo-Myanmar border.
ULFA-I Confirms Commanders Killed in Coordinated Attack
According to a series of statements released by ULFA-I, the Indian Army executed a large-scale cross-border drone strike using more than 150 drones, allegedly manufactured in Israel and France. The first wave of attacks, which occurred between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM (local time), struck camps situated between Longwa in Nagaland and Pangsai Pass in Arunachal Pradesh.
As per the group’s account, one of its top commanders, Lieutenant General Nayan Medhi, also known as Nayan Asom, was killed during the initial drone assault. Simultaneously, 19 other ULFA-I members sustained injuries in the operation. This decisive strike marked one of the deadliest blows to the outfit in recent years.
Soon after the drone assault, a second round of missile attacks hit the same region. These strikes reportedly targeted the funeral of Nayan Asom. During this follow-up attack, Brigadier Ganesh Asom and Colonel Pradip Asom also lost their lives, according to ULFA-I’s second statement. Several more personnel and local civilians were injured.
Indian Army Yet to Confirm Cross-Border Drone Strike
As of now, Indian defense authorities have not issued an official confirmation regarding the drone strikes. However, reports from multiple Indian media outlets, including The Hindustan Times and The Hindu, have picked up ULFA-I’s claims. This silence from the Indian side has fueled speculation about a possible covert operation aimed at dismantling insurgent infrastructure in the dense border regions of Myanmar.
The cross-border drone strike has stirred diplomatic concerns as well, particularly given Myanmar’s internal instability and porous borders. Although India has cooperated with Myanmar in past counterinsurgency operations, such a large-scale unmanned aerial assault, if confirmed could reflect a significant shift in New Delhi’s military strategy against northeastern insurgents.
Moreover, ULFA-I alleged that the Indian Army’s operations across the border continued through Sunday morning, hinting at a sustained offensive rather than a one-off strike.
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Regional Fallout and Background on ULFA-I
The ULFA-I, an armed separatist group, demands full independence for Assam. It has long operated with support bases in Myanmar, where some ethnic ties and cross-border affiliations exist. Historically, the group maintained links with other insurgent outfits such as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, whose camps were reportedly also hit during the cross-border drone strike.
Although separatist violence in the Northeast has significantly decreased in recent years, the ULFA-I continues to oppose any peace negotiations with the Indian government. A separate ULFA faction had already signed a peace deal in 2023, effectively splitting the group. The militant ULFA-I faction rejected the agreement and vowed to continue its armed resistance.
Following the drone and missile strikes, ULFA-I condemned what it described as aggression by “Indian occupational forces” and pledged to retaliate. “We will give a befitting reply to this treacherous act,” a spokesperson declared.
The cross-border drone strike marks a turning point in India’s approach to dealing with insurgent sanctuaries outside its territory. While official acknowledgment is still awaited, the implications for regional security are already rippling through India’s Northeast and neighboring Myanmar.
Conclusion
This alleged cross-border drone strike unconfirmed but widely reported has shaken the fragile calm in India’s northeastern frontier. If proven true, it would be among the most ambitious unmanned military operations carried out by India in recent years. As tension builds and insurgent groups regroup, the prospect of renewed conflict in the volatile region remains a real concern.
