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.

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).

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.

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.

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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