In the wake of allegations from the proscribed militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I) about a deadly drone strike on one of its camps, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday categorically denied any involvement of the Assam Police or the state government.
“There has been no strike from the soil of Assam. Assam Police is not involved in this incident,” Sarma told reporters.
According to a press release issued by the banned outfit, military action has killed several top ULFA(I) leaders, including Brigadier Ganesh Asom and Colonel Pradip Asom.
The Chief Minister also clarified that the state has not received any official communication from the central defence establishment regarding the reported strike, which ULFA(I) claimed took place during the funeral of its senior commander, Lt Gen Nayan Asom.
“We need more clarity on the matter. If such an operation has taken place, the Indian Army will issue its own statement,” Sarma added, saying the state was closely monitoring the situation.
The banned militant group issued a strongly worded statement earlier in the day, accusing Indian security forces of launching a “barbaric” missile attack on its base, reportedly located outside Indian territory.
The group has threatened retaliation though no follow-up strike or counter-response had been confirmed by the Indian government as of Sunday evening.
ULFA(I), led by commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, is a breakaway faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom, which has waged a violent campaign for Assam’s independence since the late 1970s. While the pro-talk faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa entered peace negotiations in 2011, ULFA(I) continues to reject dialogue and has operated from sanctuaries in Myanmar and other neighbouring regions.
India has in recent years increased pressure on insurgent groups operating from foreign soil, often in collaboration with neighbouring governments.