2025 Indian strikes in Myanmar

The 2025 Indian strikes in Myanmar were a cross border drone attack by the Indian Armed Forces against various insurgent groups of the Insurgency in Northeast India.

2025 Indian drone attacks in Myanmar
Part of the spillover of the Northeast Indian insurgency in Myanmar
Location of the strikes
Date 13 July 2025 Location Longwa - Pangsau Pass Result Insurgent camps of Waktham Basti, Hoyat Basti, and Hakiyot successfully struck.
Belligerents
India	ULFA PLA National Socialist Council of Nagaland
Commanders and leaders
Indian Armed Forces (denied)	Nayan Asom   † Brigadier Ganesh Asom  † Colonel Pradip Asom (WIA) [1]
Strength
100-150 Israeli and French made drones [2]	Unknown
Casualties and losses
None	3 killed [3] [4] camp damaged 19 others injured [5]

Background

See also: Involvement of Northeast Indian insurgents in the Myanmar conflict

Since late 1980s, the Northeastrn insurgents began settling camps in Myanmar to escape Indian security operations.The United Liberation Front of Asom operates within the uncontrolled territories of Myanmar with 200-250 militants in the four strategic camps which are Waktham Basti, Hoyat Basti, and Hakiyot which is in opposite of Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh, to launch assaults against India. ^{[6] [7] [8]} On 11th July , Chingakham Sanjoy Singh a suspect with links to the camps in Myanmar was arrested by Manipuri police near Sekmai. ^[9]

The Strikes

On 13 July, several Indian and international media outlets reported that India had carried out drone attacks against the insurgents camps in Myanmar at around 4 am. The ULFA alleged that India had struck their camps by launching drones and jets from Arunachal Pradesh, near the Indo-Myanmmar border and killed Lieutenant general Nayam Asom. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

During the funeral ceremony of Nayam Asom, a missile attack was reportedly carried out by India killing Brigadier Ganesh Asom and Colonel Pradip Asom along with several other members. The group alleged that Indian Air Force aircraft were used to strike camps belonging to NSCN-K along the border in the north as well as those belonging to PLA. ^{[13] [14] [15]}

Colonel Mahendra Rawat speaking on behalf of the Indian Army denied having any information related to the strikes. ^[16]

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that the state police was not involved in the drone attack carried out at Ulfa(I) camps. ^[17]

The next day, on 14 July, ULFA's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah appeared on a local daily, NKTV PLUS, stated that Colonel Pradip Asom, who was earlier presumed dead, has survived the attack and is alive. ^[1]

Reactions

• ULFA: The militant group vowed retaliation against the strikes conducted. ^[18]
• NSCN-YA: It released a press issue, condemning the strikes by describing them as an act of aggression. Nayan Asom was among the most committed and finest revolutionary leaders the ULFA-I has ever produced who dedicated his entire life in pursuits of freedom for his people. His unwavering commitment and selfless sacrifice will remain a source of inspiration not only for the Asom people but also for all the oppressed Wesean region, the statement read. ^[19]
• PLA: The political wing of PLA, RPF, denounced the drone attacks on ULFA (I) and PLA camps by the Indian Special forces and expressed its condolences over the death of ULFA members. ^[20]
• Pakistan: The state media called the strikes a violation of international borders. ^[21]

References

1. "আলফাৰ কৰ্নেল প্ৰদীপ অসম জীৱিত : পৰেশ বৰুৱা". YouTube. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
2. "India separatist group says army killed leaders in Myanmar strikes - World". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
3. Kalita, Pradip. "Ulfa-I claims 3 'big' casualties in 'India drone strikes' on Myanmar camps, Army denies operations". The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
4. Yhoshü, Alice. "After Ulfa-I, NSCN (YA) claims drone attacks carried out near Myanmar border". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
5. "ULFA claims 3 members killed in drone attack, Army denies". The Indian Express. 2025-07-14. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
6. "United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Terrorist Group, Delhi". satp.org. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
7. "ULFA-I accuses Indian army of killing its leaders in Myanmar camp". Jago News 24.com . 13 July 2025.
8. "Ulfa-I claims 3 cadres dead in drone strikes on Myanmar camps; Army denies". The Times of India. 2025-07-14. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2025-07-14.
9. "Indian Military Strikes ULFA-I Camps in Myanmar, Top Commander Reportedly Killed". 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
10. "ULFA(I) claims missile strikes killed its commanders in Myanmar". The Hindu. 2025-07-13. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2025-07-13.
11. "India's drone strikes in Myanmar raise alarms again over regional sovereignty". 24 News HD. 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
12. Karmakar, Sumir (2025-07-13). "Drone attacks on ULFA(I) camps along Myanmar border? Defence officials deny". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
13. "Army strikes ULFA-I camps in Myanmar; top commander Nayan Asom among alleged casualties: Reports". India Today NE (in Hindi). 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
14. "Indian drones hit ULFA-I bases in Myanmar, Chief Nayan Asom down". News Arena India. 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
15. "Army Denies Drone Strikes On Insurgent Group ULFA-I Camp In Myanmar". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
16. "Indian Army denies ULFA-I claim of drone strike on Myanmar camp". Firstpost. 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
17. Pubby, Manu; Singh, Bikash (2025-07-14). "Three senior members killed in Indian strikes: Ulfa; Army denies Op". The Economic Times . Retrieved 2025-07-14.
18. "Banned outfit ULFA-I claims Indian drone strikes killed senior leader near Myanmar border; Army denies operation". The Financial Express. 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
19. "'Fight Till the Last Man Standing': NSCN-YA Condemns Drone Strike That Killed ULFA-I Leader". Ukhrul Times. 2025-07-14. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
20. Admin, IT Web (2025-07-14). "RPF denounces Indian Drone attack on ULFA (I) & PLA Camps". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
21. "Indian drone strikes in Myanmar spark outrage over violation of sovereignty and international law". www.ptv.com.pk. Retrieved 2025-07-13.