The latest Assam ULFA-I arrests mark a significant breakthrough in Northeast India’s ongoing counter-insurgency campaign. In July 2025, Assam Police, with support from the Army and Assam Rifles, detained 22 members of the banned militant outfits ULFA-I and NSCN-KYA. These arrests follow nine similar ones in June, signaling an aggressive security strategy ahead of India’s Independence Day.
Authorities launched the crackdown across sensitive border zones and insurgency-prone districts, aiming to prevent planned attacks by underground groups.
Crackdown on ULFA-I Militants Intensifies Before August 15
The coordinated action comes in response to intelligence alerts suggesting ULFA-I and NSCN-KYA militants were planning sabotage missions ahead of August 15. Security sources confirmed that operatives had started mobilizing near Upper Assam and border regions of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
“We are acting proactively. These groups often attempt symbolic violence to mark national events,” said GP Singh, Assam’s Director General of Police.
The operations unfolded across multiple districts, including Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Dibrugarh, where insurgent activity has spiked in recent months.
Assam ULFA-I Arrests Backed by Joint Forces and Real-Time Intel
The Assam ULFA-I arrests were not isolated incidents. Joint teams from the Assam Police Special Task Force (STF), Indian Army’s Eastern Command, and Assam Rifles conducted simultaneous raids based on surveillance data and ground intelligence.
Highlights of the operation:
- 13 ULFA-I operatives captured with weapons and propaganda material
- 9 NSCN-KYA insurgents arrested in Assam–Nagaland border zones
- Mid-level commanders and recruiters identified among the detainees
- Several hideouts neutralized with minimal resistance
Unlike past campaigns, this operation used drone surveillance and local informants to pinpoint militant shelters.
Arrests Build on June Momentum
Security agencies aren’t waiting for insurgents to act. In June 2025, authorities detained nine militants linked to the same groups. With July’s 22 arrests, this brings the total to 31 captured operatives in less than two months.
“The message is clear: Assam won’t tolerate anti-national activities,” said Col. Rajiv Mehta (Retd), a counter-insurgency expert based in Tezpur.
This persistent effort aims to disrupt the recruitment pipeline and prevent any symbolic attacks that insurgents often stage during national celebrations.
Who Are ULFA-I and NSCN-KYA?
The United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) seeks an independent Assam and has operated from Myanmar and border jungles. Led by Paresh Baruah, the group has carried out ambushes, extortion, and bombings for decades.
Meanwhile, the NSCN-KYA is a splinter faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, active in remote areas of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. It is involved in arms trafficking, guerrilla warfare, and border extortion.
Both are listed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and are closely watched by the Ministry of Home Affairs. (Visit MHA for more)
Independence Day Security on High Alert
The Assam ULFA-I arrests form part of a broader plan to tighten security before India’s 78th Independence Day. Officials have increased patrolling along highways, oil pipelines, and key installations. Public gatherings will be under drone surveillance, and inter-state movement near borders faces stricter checks.
“We urge the public to remain alert and report anything unusual,” said a spokesperson for Assam Rifles.
Schools, transport hubs, and marketplaces across Assam are expected to receive additional protection over the next few weeks.
Stay Vigilant and Informed
These arrests show that proactive policing and public support can break insurgent networks. However, citizens must also contribute to long-term peace.
Assam Sends a Clear Message
With the Assam ULFA-I arrests, the state has sent an unambiguous message—insurgency will not be tolerated, especially during national events. These efforts reflect a firm shift toward zero-tolerance policies and strengthened inter-agency coordination.
If this trend continues, Assam may finally close a long and painful chapter in its insurgency history.
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