3 top ULFA-I leaders ‘killed’ in Myanmar, Indian Army denies role as insurgent group alleges involvement
Three top leaders of banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) were “killed” in Myanmar, following what it claimed were “drone attacks” by the Indian Army, a charge flatly denied by the forces, The Print reports.
The banned group, headed by Paresh Baruah, issued multiple statements Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI, claiming that its eastern headquarters in Myanmar had been targeted by the Indian Army with drones in the early hours. According to these statements, a total of 19 cadres have been killed and another 19 injured.
The group said that several camps, from the border with Myanmar near Longwa in Nagaland to Pangsai Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, were targeted between 2 am and 4 am Sunday.
In the first statement, it said that the outfit’s self-proclaimed Lieutenant General Nayan Medhi (alias Nayan Asom) had been killed. The next one said that fresh attacks were carried out during the last rites, in which self-styled Brigadier Ganesh Asom and Colonel Pradip Asom were killed.
“While the last rites of Nayan Asom were being carried out, missile attacks were carried out in which Ganesh Asom and Pradip Asom became martyrs and several officers, cadres and civilians sustained injuries,” read the statement, quoted by several Northeast-based media outlets.
However, the Indian Army has categorically denied any such operation. “There are no inputs with the Indian Army on such an operation,” said Colonel M.S. Rawat, the Defence PRO (Public Relations Officer) in Guwahati.
ULFA-I differs from the pro-talks faction of the group and demands the inclusion of a sovereign Assam in any proposed talks.
The banned group claimed that the Indian Army used Israeli and French drones. India does not operate any French drones.
According to a report by Assamese news organisation Pratidin Time, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told media persons, “Assam Police is not involved in this incident. There has been no strike from the soil of Assam.” He added that while the incident is being closely monitored, more information is needed before drawing conclusions.
