New Delhi: In what is being described as one of the most daring cross-border offensives in recent memory, the Indian Army has reportedly launched a high-precision drone strike on insurgent camps of the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) deep inside Myanmar. The early morning operation on July 13 is believed to have involved close to 100 drones, delivering coordinated aerial attacks on at least four key militant hideouts.
While the Indian Army has not officially confirmed the operation, multiple unverified sources suggest that it was a significant blow to ULFA-I’s leadership. Among those reportedly killed is Lieutenant General Nayan Asom, a senior commander known for orchestrating key operations and training insurgent cadres.
Multiple Camps Hit
Sources indicate that one of the main targets was the ULFA-I’s Eastern Command Headquarters (ECHQ) at Hoyat Basti in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region, long considered a safe haven for militant activity. The attack on Hoyat Basti was reportedly the most intense, with drones delivering a wave of strikes intended to dismantle the group’s eastern command infrastructure.
Another major target was the group’s 779 Camp in Waktham Basti, where five militants were believed to be present at the time of the strike. However, there are no confirmed reports of casualties from that location yet.
The strategic precision and scale of the operation point to months of planning, with the drone strikes said to have simultaneously targeted multiple camps to maximise impact and limit the insurgents’ ability to regroup.
NSCN-K Camps Also Reportedly Targeted
The offensive may not have been limited to ULFA-I. Intelligence inputs suggest that camps belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland–Khaplang (NSCN-K), another insurgent group in the region, were also hit. While the extent of damage and number of casualties remains unconfirmed, reports indicate possible multiple deaths among NSCN-K cadres.
The strike comes amid growing militant activity in Assam and neighbouring regions, signalling a heightened phase in India’s counter-insurgency efforts along the Northeast’s porous border.
