Did Indian Army Launch Drone Strikes Against ULFA-I in Myanmar? What We Know

The Indian army has denied its involvement in any such operation.

WebQoof | Read our story to find out more about the recent attack in Myanmar. 

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

A post is being circulated claiming that the Indian army has recently conducted a surgical strike in Myanmar, which killed the cadres of banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I).

An archive of the post can be found here.

(Source: Facebook/Screenshot)

We received a query about the viral claim on our WhatsApp tipline as well. More archives of similar claims can be viewed here and here.

What we know: While the ULFA-I has alleged that the drone attack was carried out by the Indian army, the latter has categorically denied its involvement in any such operation.

What did we find?: On conducting a keyword search on Google, we came across a recent news report published by Hindustan Times.

• The report said that the banned ULFA-I claimed that Indian army had launched drone attacks on one of its camps in Myanmar, which has resulted in the death of three senior leaders of the outfit.

• The banned outfit further claimed that over 150 drones were used in the attack, which injured 19 others.

• However, the Indian army has denied any involvement.

The report was published on 13 July.

(Source: Hindustan Times/Screenshot)

What did the local press in Myanmar say?: A news report published in Myanmar-based CNI News carried the statement from ULFA-I, which alleged that the drone attack was launched by the Indian army.

• The outfit had claimed that the Indian army had attacked four camps using UAV drones from inside Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

• The report further mentioned that the camps of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) were also located near the ULFA-I camps that were allegedly attacked.

Indian Army denies involvement: News on Air, in a report, said that the army has categorically denied its involvement in any operation that led to 19 ULFA-I cadres being killed in Myanmar.

• It carried a statement from Defence PRO Colonel MS Rawat, who said that there were no inputs with the army on any such operation.

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media that the state police was not involved and also mentioned that no strikes have been conducted from his state.

The report was published on 14 July.

(Source: News on Air/Screenshot)

Conclusion: While we could not independently confirm the veracity of the claims made by ULFA-I, it should be noted that the Indian army has denied its involvement.

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