Myanmar, July 14: Myanmar's banned United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA) has claimed that the Indian Army carried out a drone strike on its eastern headquarters. It has alleged that 19 people, including a senior ULFA-I commander, were killed and over 20 others were injured.
Who carried out the drone strike?
The Indian Army has completely rejected ULFA-I's claims. Speaking in Guwahati, Defence Public Relations Officer Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said the Indian Army has no information about any such operation. According to reports, senior ULFA (I) commander Nayan Medhi was killed in the attack while some cadres of Manipuri insurgent groups present at the site were also killed.
ULFA (I) later claimed in another statement that its camp was being cremated when a missile attack took place. In the second round of attacks, the organisation said that two senior members, 'Brigadier' Ganesh Asom and 'Colonel' Pradeep Asom, were killed and many other members and civilians were injured.
It is noteworthy that only one senior commander remains in the ULFA led by Paresh Baruah. He is in Myanmar. His name is said to be Arunoday Dohotia. Another ULFA commander, Roopom, who is active from Myanmar camps, was arrested by the Assam police in May.
Paresh Baruah's ISI connection
Paresh Baruah is said to be doing anti-India work as he has deep links with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and is said to be living in the China-Myanmar-India border areas. Analysts familiar with the matter told the agency that the attacks on the ULFA (I) headquarters could be due to infighting between these banned organisations.