Intelligence agencies suspect the attackers crossed over from Myanmar to carry out the hit-and-run assault.
BY PC Bureau
August 9, 2025 — In a pre-dawn strike, suspected cadres of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) opened fire on an Assam Rifles camp at Noglo village, under the Lazu police station in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district, early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred around 3:30 am when militants, reportedly positioned on higher ground and concealed by dense vegetation, unleashed a volley of fire on the security installation. Initial reports indicate that approximately 25 rounds were fired, targeting the camp’s perimeter and sentry posts.
Assam Rifles personnel, who were on night watch, quickly returned fire using light machine guns (LMGs), prompting the attackers to disengage and retreat into the thick jungles that surround Noglo. The exchange of gunfire is believed to have lasted several minutes. No casualties or material damage have been confirmed on the security forces’ side as of the time of reporting.
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Counter-Operations in Progress
Soon after the firing ceased, security forces launched an intensive combing operation in the adjoining areas, deploying additional reinforcements from nearby posts. Search parties, supported by tracker dogs and night-vision equipment, are combing potential escape routes leading towards the porous Indo-Myanmar border, a known transit corridor for insurgent groups operating in the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) belt.
Militant Attack on Assam Rifles Camp in Arunachal
A militant attack took place at the Assam Rifles camp in Arunachal Pradesh.
The assault is suspected to have been carried out by ULFA (I) and NSCN militants. pic.twitter.com/hzBuOwXOqS— Pratidin Time (@pratidintime) August 9, 2025
Intelligence sources suggest that the militants involved may have infiltrated from across the border in Myanmar, where both ULFA-I and NSCN maintain camps. “The choice of timing and location points to a planned attempt to provoke security forces and create a sense of insecurity in the days leading up to Independence Day,” a senior security official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Region’s Strategic Sensitivity
Tirap district, along with its neighbouring Changlang and Longding districts, has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity. The difficult terrain, heavy forest cover, and proximity to the Myanmar frontier make it a favoured zone for militant movement and hit-and-run strikes. In recent years, coordinated operations by the Assam Rifles, state police, and central security agencies have weakened insurgent presence, but sporadic attacks continue.
The Assam Rifles, tasked with guarding the Indo-Myanmar border and maintaining counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, has stepped up patrols and fortified security installations in anticipation of further attempts to disrupt the Independence Day period.
Background on Groups Involved
The ULFA-I, led by Paresh Baruah, is one of Assam’s most prominent insurgent outfits, advocating for a “sovereign Assam” and operating mainly from bases in Myanmar. The NSCN, in its various factions, has waged a decades-long armed struggle for Naga sovereignty. Over the years, tactical cooperation between the two groups has been reported, especially in cross-border operations targeting Indian security forces.
Officials say the latest incident underscores the continuing challenge posed by insurgent networks in the Northeast, despite several ceasefire agreements and peace talks with some factions. Security forces remain on high alert, and operations are expected to continue in the Noglo-Lazu sector in the coming days.
