View source for United Liberation Front of Asom

{{Short description|Rebel organisation operating in state of Assam, India}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox war faction
| name             = United Liberation Front of Asom
| war              = [[Insurgency in Northeast India]] [[Anti-Bengali activities]]
| native_name_lang = as
| image            = Flag of United Liberation Front of Asom.svg
| active           = 7 April 1979 – 29 December 2023 ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=1979|Month1=4|Date1=7|year2=2023|Month2=12|Date2=29}}) (Pro-truce faction)<br/>7 April 1979 – present ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=1979|Month1=4|Date1=7}}) (Anti-truce faction)|
| ideology         = [[Assamese nationalism]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/may/19/assam-independence-talks-india | location=London | work=[[The Guardian]] | first=Aruni | last=Kashyap | title=India needs talks for Assam's peace | date=19 May 2010 | access-date=11 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928135145/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/may/19/assam-independence-talks-india | archive-date=28 September 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><br/>[[Socialism]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Goswami |first1=Sandhya |title=Assam politics in post-Congress era 1985 and beyond |date=2020 |publisher=SAGE Publications |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=978-93-5388-364-5 |page=60 }}</ref>
| clans            = 
| leaders          = [[Paresh Baruah]]<br>[[Arabinda Rajkhowa]]{{POW}}<br>[[Pradip Gogoi]]{{POW}}<br>[[Anup Chetia]]{{POW}}<br>[[Raju Baruah]]{{POW}}<br>[[Sashadhar Choudhury]]{{POW}}<br>[[Chitraban Hazarika]]{{POW}}<br>[[Mithinga Daimary]]{{POW}}<br>[[Bolin Das]]{{POW}}<br>[[Pranati Deka]]{{POW}}
| headquarters     = Myanmar and China
| area             = [[Assam]], India
| opponents        = [[Government of India]]
*[[Government of Assam]]
[[al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent]] (2016–present)
[[Bhutan]]<ref>See [[Operation All Clear]]</ref>
| battles          = [[Insurgency in Northeast India]]
* [[Insurgency in Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[Operation Sunrise (2019)]]
*[[Myanmar civil war (2021–present)]]
*[[2025 Indian strikes on Myanmar]]
[[Operation All Clear]]
| allegiance       = [[United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia]]
| website          = 
| identification_symbol = 
| identification_symbol_label = 
| status           = Active (ULFA-I)<br/>
Surrendered (ULFA pro-truce faction)
| motives          = Establishment of an independent [[Assam]]
| designated_as_terror_group_by = {{Flag|India}}
| size             = {{ubl|900–1200 (2007)|200 (2024)}}
| split_to         = United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) <br/> United Liberation Front of Asom (Pro-truce faction)
}}

The '''United Liberation Front of Asom''' ('''ULFA''') is an armed [[Separatist movements of India|separatist]] insurgent organisation, that operates in the Indian state of [[Assam]].<ref name="satp">{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/terrorist_outfits/Ulfa.htm |title=United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) – Terrorist Group of Assam |publisher= |access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mha.gov.in/node/91173 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228065320/https://mha.gov.in/node/91173 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |title=Banned Organizations |website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]] |access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> It seeks to establish an independent sovereign nation state of Assam for the indigenous Assamese people through an armed struggle via the [[Assam conflict]]. The [[Government of India]] banned the organisation and designated it as a terrorist organisation in 1990,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx|title=NIA :: Banned Terrorist Organisations|access-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119203117/http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx|archive-date=19 January 2014}}</ref> while the [[United States Department of State]] lists it under "other groups of concern".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2006/82738.htm|title=Chapter 6 – Terrorist Organizations|date=30 April 2007|website=[[United States State Department|U. S. State Department]]|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>

According to ULFA sources, it was founded on 7 April 1979<ref name="satp"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-01-24/news/70036465_1_anup-chetia-bangladesh-jail-assam-assembly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130034118/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-01-24/news/70036465_1_anup-chetia-bangladesh-jail-assam-assembly|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 January 2016|title=Why the militant group ULFA matters ahead of Assam Assembly Polls|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> at [[Rang Ghar]] and began operations in 1990. [[Sunil Nath]], former Central Publicity Secretary and spokesman of ULFA, has stated that the organisation established ties with the [[Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland]] in 1983 and with the Burma-based [[Kachin Independent Army]] in 1987. Military operations against the ULFA by the [[Indian Army]] began in 1990 and continue to this day. On 5 December 2009, the chairman and the deputy commander-in-chief of ULFA was taken into Indian custody.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/Ulfa-leaders-held-admit-China-link/483340/H1-Article1-483167.aspx |title=Ulfa leaders held, admit China link |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=5 December 2009 |access-date=1 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217061205/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/Ulfa-leaders-held-admit-China-link/483340/H1-Article1-483167.aspx |archive-date=17 February 2013 }}</ref> In 2011, there was a major crackdown on ULFA in Bangladesh under the previous regime of [[Awami League]], which greatly assisted the [[government of India]] in bringing ULFA leaders to talks. In January 2010, ULFA softened its stance and dropped demands for independence as a condition for talks with the Government of India.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53891120110103 |title = ULFA softens demand on Assam independence |work = [[Reuters]] |date = 3 January 2011 |access-date = 3 January 2011 |archive-date = 6 March 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190306111549/https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53891120110103 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

On 3 September 2011, a tripartite agreement for "Suspension of Operations" agreement was signed by the Indian government, the Assam government and the ULFA.<ref name="Tripartite agreement signed with ULFA">{{cite news|title=Tripartite agreement signed with ULFA|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2421033.ece|access-date=19 September 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Saikia |first=Arunabh |title=In Assam's Tinsukia district, killings of Bengalis spark anxiety among Hindi-speaking residents |url=https://scroll.in/article/901406/in-assams-tinsukia-district-killings-of-bengalis-spark-anxiety-among-hindi-speaking-residents |journal=[[Scroll.in]]|date=9 November 2018 }}</ref>

==History==
The ULFA was founded on 7 April 1979 in [[Sivasagar]], Assam by a group of young men that included [[Paresh Baruah]], [[Arabinda Rajkhowa]], [[Anup Chetia]], Bhupen Borgohain, Pradip Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain and Budheswar Gogoi. The organisation's purpose was to engage in an armed struggle to form a separate independent state of Assam.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bahn |first1=Divya |title=Import of peace deal with peaceful faction of ULFA |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/explainers/2024/Jan/06/import-ofpeace-deal-with-peaceful-faction-of-ulfa-2648594.html |access-date=12 July 2025 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=6 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Chahong |first1=Dr Kharingpam Ahum |last2=Malik |first2=Saima |title=Re-Imagining Northeast Writings and Narratives: Language, Culture, and Border Identity |date=2024 |publisher=SLC India Publisher |isbn=978-81-962956-7-7 |page=343 |language=en}}</ref>

During its peak days in the late 80s and 90s, it had support among many of the Assamese people of the [[Brahmaputra valley]]. The majority of the supporters felt that a powerful organization was necessary to get the voice of a peripheral region heard, to the central government. But gradually, the organisation's emphasis on illegal means and smuggling of weapons in the name of furthering the 'revolution' led to violence throughout the state. It witnessed a period marked by growing disillusionment and anger amid supporters.

In the conflict, many civilians were killed and several thousand were permanently maimed and displaced. It is estimated that more than 10 thousand local youths were killed and disappeared during that period.{{By whom|date=October 2023}} In the process, owing to the twin factors of increasing operations by the security forces and dwindling support among its core sympathisers, ULFA's importance in Assam has been declined drastically.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/ulfas-misplaced-sense-of-aggression-against-dalai-lama-underscores-its-eagerness-to-keep-china-happy-3358818.html|title=Ulfa's misplaced sense of aggression against Dalai Lama underscores its eagerness to keep China happy|website=[[Firstpost]]|date=30 March 2017|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>

Recruiting for the front did not begin until 1983. Soon after it finished recruitment in 1984, it began to seek out training and arms procurement from other groups such as the [[Kachin Independence Army]] (KIA) and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). In 1986, it launched a fundraising campaign across India. It then began to set up camps in [[Tinsukia]] and [[Dibrugarh]] but was soon declared a terrorist organization by the government on 7 November, under the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]].

In less than a decade of its formation, the ULFA emerged as one of the most powerful insurgent outfits in [[Southeast Asia]], largely because of the immense popularity, it enjoyed during the first decade of its struggle as well as its economic power which in turn helped it in bolstering its military capabilities. In the early 1990s, ULFA launched an armed campaign against Indian forces, political opponents, and blasted rail links. In July 1991, the front captured and held 14 people for ransom, included in the abductees was an engineer and a national of the Soviet Union. From the 1990s, the ULFA have continued to carry out attacks.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/ulfa.html]{{Dead link|date=January 2013}}</ref>

Till the late 2000s, it maintained a number of camps in Bangladesh, where members were trained and sheltered away from Indian security forces. In April 2004, [[Bangladesh police]] and [[Bangladesh Coast Guard]] intercepted massive amounts of illegal arms and ammunition at [[Chittagong]], being loaded into 10 trucks. A total of 50 were charged with arms smuggling and arms offenses, including former high-level Bangladesh political appointees including ministers of the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] and [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]] and NSI military officers, as well as prominent businessmen, and [[Paresh Baruah]], the chief of ULFA who was then living in Dhaka.<ref name="bss2012"/> He later fled the country.<ref name="bss2012">[http://www1.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=295974&date=2012-11-28 "Ex-Industries Secretary Nurul Amin was informed of the 10-truck arms smuggling: Mobin Hossain"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110173317/http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=295974&date=2012-11-28 |date=10 January 2017 }}, ''[[Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha]]'' (BSS), 28 November 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2013</ref>

They had also maintained camps in [[Bhutan]], which were destroyed during [[Operation All Clear]] by the [[Royal Bhutan Army]] aided by the [[Special Frontier Force]] in December 2003. These camps housed combatants and non-combatant families of ULFA members.

ULFA maintained close relationships with other separatist organisations like [[National Democratic Front of Bodoland|NDFB]], [[Karabakh Liberation Organization|KLO]] and [[NSCN (Khaplang)]].

In 2008, News Services reported citing Indian police and intelligence officials reported ULFA's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah had taken refuge in [[Yunnan]] Province of China, along [[China-Myanmar border]], due to continued losses incured to his organization. The report also stated that a group of militants had also taken refuge along with him. Paresh Baruah had previously visited China in the 1980s. In December 2003, China spurned ULFA's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa appeal to provide safe passage to the rebels from Bhutan.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/ulfa-eyeing-china-for-shelter-commander-in-china-myanmar-border_100112644.html |title=ULFA eyeing China for shelter, commander in China-Myanmar border |publisher= |access-date=1 January 2013 |archive-date=17 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017070156/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/ulfa-eyeing-china-for-shelter-commander-in-china-myanmar-border_100112644.html }}</ref>

On 13 July 2025, ULFA(I) claimed that the Indian Army launched drone attacks on camps in [[Sagaing Region]], Myanmar. Indian officials denied knowledge of any cross-border operations recently targeting ULFA(I).<ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ulfa-i-myanamar-camp-attack-leader-killed-july-13-2025/article69806870.ece ULFA(I) claims missile strikes killed its commanders in Myanmar]. July 13, 2025. [[The Hindu]]. {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20250713140044/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ulfa-i-myanamar-camp-attack-leader-killed-july-13-2025/article69806870.ece|date=July 13, 2025}}</ref>

===Secret killings of the family members of militants ===

During the government of [[Asom Gana Parishad|AGP]] leader [[Prafulla Kumar Mahanta]], as a part of his government's counter-insurgency strategy, unidentified gunmen had assassinated a number of family members of ULFA leaders. With the fall of this government following elections in 2001, the secret killings stopped. Dinesh Barua, the elder brother of [[Paresh Barua]], was taken from his house at night by unidentified Assamese men, Later his body was found lying near a cremation center in [[Chabua]]. ULFA's self-styled Publicity Secretary, Mithinga Daimary, also had his five family members killed during this period.

Government investigations into the killings culminated in the report of the "Saikia Commission", presented to the Assam Assembly on 15 November 2007. The report describes how the killings were organised by [[Prafulla Mahanta]], then the Assam Home Minister. They were executed by the police. The gunmen were former members of ULFA who had surrendered to the government. They approached their targets at home, at night, knocking on the door and speaking in [[Assamese language|Assamese]] to allay suspicion. When the victims answered the door, they were shot or kidnapped to be shot elsewhere.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071116102225/http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/16/stories/2007111654701400.htm "Saikia Commission indicts former Chief Minister Mahanta for 'secret killings'"], ''[[The Hindu]]'', 16 November 2007</ref>

==Organizational structure==
[[File:ULFA'S 28 battalion.jpg|thumb|Commander of ULFA's 28th Battalion addressing to a press meet after declaration of ceasefire by its 'a' and 'c' companies at Amarpur, Tinsukia in 2008.]]

During the 1990s and 2000s, the total strength of ULFA was stated to be around 3,000, while various other sources put the figure ranging from 4,000 to 6,000. A military wing of the ULFA, the [[Sanjukta Mukti Fouj]] (SMF) was formed on 16 March 1996.

SMF had formed three full-fledged so-called battalions: the 7th, 28th, and the 709th. While remaining battalions exist only on paper at best they have the strengths of a company or so. Their allocated spheres of operation are as follows:

*7th Bn (HQ-Sukhini) is responsible for defence of General Headquarters (GHQ).
*8th Bn – [[Nagaon district|Nagaon]], [[Morigaon district|Morigaon]], [[Karbi Anglong district|Karbi Anglong]]
*9th Bn – [[Golaghat district|Golaghat]], [[Jorhat district|Jorhat]], [[Sivasagar district|Sivasagar]]
*11th Bn – [[Kamrup district|Kamrup]], [[Nalbari district|Nalbari]]
*27th Bn – [[Barpeta district|Barpeta]], [[Bongaigaon district|Bongaigaon]], [[Kokrajhar district|Kokrajhar]]
*[[28th Battalion (ULFA)|28th Bn]] – [[Tinsukia district|Tinsukia]], [[Dibrugarh district|Dibrugarh]]
*709th Bn – Kalikhola

===Command Structure===
{| class="wikitable" 
! Name !! Self-Styled Designation !! Current Status
|-
|[[Arabinda Rajkhowa]] || Chairman || Captured, Released on bail
|-
|[[Pradip Gogoi]] || Vice-chairman || Captured, Released on bail
|-
|[[Ashanta Baghphukan]] || Vice-chairman/organizing secretary || Missing since 2003
|-
|[[Anup Chetia]] || General secretary 
|| Deported to India from Bangladesh, Currently in Indian custody.<ref>{{citation |title=ULFA leader Anup Chetia deported to India from Bangladesh, PM Modi thanks Hasina.|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/ulfa-leader-anup-chetia-handed-over-to-india-by-bangladesh_1820910.html |publisher=[[Zee News]] |date=11 November 2015 |access-date= 11 November 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Paresh Baruah]] || Commander-in-Chief || On Run, Sentenced to death by Bangladesh court.<ref>{{citation |title= ULFA leader Paresh Barua, 13 others sentenced to death by Bangladesh court. |url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ulfa-leader-paresh-barua-13-others-sentenced-to-death-by-bangladesh-court-549285 |location=Chittagong |author= IANS |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=30 January 2014 |access-date=11 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title= ULFA's Paresh Barua sentenced to death in Bangladesh |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/ulfas-paresh-barua-sentenced-to-death-in-bangladesh/article5634460.ece |location=[[Chittagong]] |author= Haroon Habib, Sushanta Talukdar |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 January 2014 |access-date=11 November 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Heerak Jyoti Mahanta]] || First Deputy Commander-in-Chief || Captured and killed on 31 December 1991.

|-
|[[Raju Baruah]] || Deputy Commander-in-Chief || Captured, Released on bail
|-
|[[Michael Deka Phukan]] || Present Deputy Commander-in-Chief || Wanted
|-
|[[Mithinga Daimary]] || Publicity Secretary || Captured, Released on bail
|-
|[[Chitraban Hazarika]] || Finance Secretary || Captured, Released on bail
|-
|[[Pranati Deka]] || Cultural Secretary || Captured, Released on bail
|-
|[[Sashadhar Choudhury]] || Foreign Secretary || Captured, Released on bail

|}

===Enigma Force===
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Enigma Force
| caption = 
| dates = Disbanded
| country = 
| allegiance = 
| branch = [[ULFA]]
| type = [[Guerrilla warfare|Guerrilla]]
| role = [[Shock troops]]
| size = 
| command_structure = 
| garrison = [[Bhutan]]
| garrison_label = 
| nickname = 
| patron = 
| motto = 
| colors = 
| colors_label = 
| march = 
| mascot = 
| equipment = 
| equipment_label = 
| battles = 
| anniversaries = 
| decorations = 
| battle_honours = 
| disbanded = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 = None
| commander1_label = Current Chief
| commander2 = [[Raju Baruah]]
| commander2_label = 1st Chief
| commander4 = 
| commander4_label = 
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = 
| identification_symbol_label = 
| identification_symbol_2 = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = 
| identification_symbol_3 = 
| identification_symbol_3_label = 
| identification_symbol_4 = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = 
}}

'''Enigma Force''' or '''Enigma Group''' was an exclusive and near autonomous striking group of the ULFA.<ref name="ab">{{cite web|url=http://ia.rediff.com/news/2001/jan/23inter.htm|title=The ULFA gameplan has backfired|last=Menon|first=Ramesh|date=23 January 2001|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=10 December 2009}}</ref><ref name="ef">{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/sair/Archives/1_49.htm|title=ULFA: Decapitation Failure|last=Routray|first=Bibhu Prasad|date=23 June 2003|access-date=7 November 2009}}</ref> It is known to a few top leaders of the outfit<ref name="ab" /> and the cadres were isolated from the others.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="cd">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jan/19spec.htm|title=Our future has been destroyed|last=Menon|first=Ramesh|date=19 January 2001|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=10 December 2009}}</ref> It was designed for [[Hit-and-run tactics|hit and run]] type of operations.<ref name="ab" /> It was headed by the [[Raju Baruah]].<ref name="ef" /><ref name="cd" />

==Activities==

===Assassinations===
On 29 July 1990, the [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] (SP) of the [[Dibrugarh district]] Daulat Singh Negi (IPS) and his PSO and driver were killed by an ambush in Lahoal of Dibrugarh district by the ULFA.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gogoi |first=Dilip |title=Unheeded Hinterland: Identity and Sovereignty in Northeast India |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-317-32921-3 |location=Basingstoke |page=174}}</ref>

Some of the major assassinations by ULFA include that of Surendra Paul in May 1990, the brother of businessman Lord [[Swraj Paul]], that precipitated a situation leading to the sacking of the [[Government of Assam]] under [[Prafulla Kumar Mahanta]] and the beginning of [[Operation Bajrang]].

In 1991, a Russian engineer, and national of the Soviet Union was kidnapped along with others and killed. In 1997, [[Sanjay Ghose]], a social activist and a relative of a high-ranking Indian diplomat, was kidnapped and killed. The highest government officer assassinated by the group was local [[Asom Gana Parishad]] minister [[Nagen Sarma]] in 2000. An unsuccessful assassination attempt was made on AGP Chief Minister [[Prafulla Kumar Mahanta]] in 1997. A [[mass grave]], discovered at a destroyed ULFA camp in Lakhipathar forest, showed evidence of executions committed by ULFA.

In August 1995, it killed eight SF personnel. In November a joint ambush by ULFA and BDSF killed five security personnel.

In 1996, ULFA killed 13 SF personnel in three separate attacks.<ref name="c245">{{cite web | title=Chronology of major NE terror strikes | website=Hindustan Times | date=2003-10-13 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/chronology-of-major-ne-terror-strikes/story-Mhhpyh9vjv9kXykKkqm5EI.html | access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

In 2003, the ULFA was accused of killing labourers from [[Bihar]] in response to an alleged molestation of a [[Mizo people|Mizo]] girl in a train passing through [[Bihar]]. This incident sparked off [[anti-Bihari sentiment]] in [[Assam]] and ULFA saw it as an opportunity to regain its lost ground. The ULFA killed civilians of [[Bihar]]i origin and other outsiders of mainland India.

In 2003, during a Railways Recruitment Board Examination for Group (D) posts conducted by [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone]] a wing of [[Indian Railways]], a good number of candidates from [[Bihar]] and other states were beaten up and stopped from taking the exam by some elements who were seeking 100 percent [[reservations in India|reservations]] for unemployed indigenous Assamese people in the said test.

In resentment, conflicts arose with train passengers from North Eastern Indians states passing through some of the stations like [[Katihar]], [[Jamalpur, Munger|Jamalpur]], [[Kishanganj]] in [[Bihar]].

During that period ULFA was already losing its popularity and ground across many pockets in Assam where it had strongholds. However, ULFA took this situation as an opportunity to fan an opposition against 'India' among people in Assam. They started killing Hindi-speaking people mostly having origin in [[Bihar]] in the State.

On 15 August 2004, an explosion occurred in [[Dhemaji District]] of Assam in which 13 people died, mainly women and school children. This explosion was carried out by ULFA. The ULFA has obliquely accepted responsibility for the blast.<ref>[http://www.assamtribune.com/aug1704/at05.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022123829/http://www.assamtribune.com/aug1704/at05.html|date=22 October 2004}}</ref> This appears to be the first instance of ULFA admitting to public killings with an incendiary device.

In January 2007, the ULFA once again struck in Assam killing approximately 62 Hindi-speaking migrant workers mostly from Bihar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/idr-new-website/|title=Indian Defence Review New Website|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> ULFA notoriety as a directionless and unpopular organisation increased, as the bomb blast victims also included several indigenous Assamese people.

The Central Government made a tough response, forcing a dreaded group of ULFA – [[28th Battalion (ULFA)|28 Battalion]] to unilaterally bow down and seek asylum from the government. This particular one-sided ceasefire broke the backbone of ULFA.

On 15 March 2007, ULFA triggered a blast in [[Guwahati]], injuring six people as it celebrated its 'army day'.

On June 2010, in a IED blast claimed by ULFA at Goalpara, killed five CRPF jawans and injured 33.<ref name="i514">{{cite web | title=Ulfa claims responsibility for ambush on bus carrying jawans in Assam's Goalpara district | website=Telegraph India | date=2010-07-31 | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/5-crpf-men-die-in-blast-ulfa-claims-responsibility-for-ambush-on-bus-carrying-jawans-in-assam-s-goalpara-district/cid/499019 | access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

In November 2017, in a joint attack by ULFA-NSCN (K), it ambushed and killed 3 jawans and injured 4 at Pengeri area of [[Tinsukia District]].<ref name="f171">{{cite web | title=3 jawans killed in ULFA-NSCN ambush in Assam | website=The Hindu | date=2016-11-19 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/3-jawans-killed-in-ULFA-NSCN-ambush-in-Assam/article16659128.ece | access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

===Economic subversion===
The ULFA has claimed responsibility for bombings of economic targets like [[crude oil]] pipelines, freight trains and government buildings, including a 7 August 2005 attack on oil pipelines in Assam.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4129254.stm|title=bombing of oil facilities on August 7, 2005|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=12 October 2014}}</ref> ULFA carried out a bombing and destruction of a five million-liter petrol reservoir at Digboi refinery in Tinsukia, with an estimated property loss of 200 million rupees. On the same day, they also damaged a gas pipeline in the oil district of Tinsukia.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

===Recruitment===
In the initial years of the ULFA movement, cadres were recruited from rural areas as well as from many towns in Lower Assam, Northern and Upper Assam and middle Assam districts. One of the most popular ULFA leaders of all time, the late [[Heerak Jyoti Mahanta]] hailed from a place which is just a few kilometres from Guwahati. However, with the educated Assamese urban middle class becoming increasingly sceptical of ULFA's method of functioning, the ULFA targeted the remote villages and the predominantly backward areas of predominantly marginalised indigenous communities for recruitment. According to intelligence sources, the Paresh Baruah faction of the Ulfa, which have been continuously raising its voice against the ongoing peace process being initiated by the Arabinda Rajkhowa faction, is engaged in a massive recruitment drive in the rural areas of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur and Nalbari districts of Assam. The Ulfa also has strong following among the [[Naga people]] in Assam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinlung.com/2011/06/arunachal-pradesh-becoming-safe-haven.html|title=Arunachal Pradesh Becoming Safe Haven For Militants – Sinlung|access-date=12 October 2014}}</ref>

===Political activities===
After 1985 and before it was banned in 1990, ULFA was credited in the media with many public activities. It has continued a public discourse of sorts through the local media (newspapers), occasionally publishing its position on political issues centred around the nationality question. It has participated in public debates with public figures from Assam. During the last two local elections, the ULFA had called for boycotts. Media reports suggest that it used its forces to intimidate activists and supporters of the then-ruling parties ([[Indian National Congress|Congress]] and AGP respectively).

===Extortion===
The ULFA is credited with some bank robberies during its initial stages. Now it is widely reported to [[extortion|extort]] businessmen, bureaucrats and politicians for collecting funds. In 1997, the [[Chief Minister of Assam]] accused [[Tata Tea]] of paying the medical bills of the ULFA cultural secretary [[Pranati Deka]] at a Mumbai hospital.

==Peace negotiations and surrender==
{{main|SULFA}}
[[File:The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram meeting with the ULFA Leaders, in New Delhi on February 10, 2011.jpg|thumb|The Union Home Minister, [[P. Chidambaram]] meeting with the ULFA Leaders, in New Delhi.]]
Beginning in 1990, the [[Government of India]] has attempted to wean away members of the ULFA. This occurred due to the death of the ULFA's deputy [[Commander in chief]] [[Heerak Jyoti Mahanta]] on 31 December 1991. He had opposed surrenders, but they began after his death. The group has been meeting more local opposition as residents are tired of the violence and disruption, and some energy has gone out of the movement.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In 1992, a large section of second-rung leaders and members surrendered to government authorities. These former members were allowed to retain their weapons to defend against their former colleagues; they were offered bank loans without any liabilities to help them re-integrate into society. This loose group, now called SULFA, has become an important element in the armed politics and business of [[Assam]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The total number of ULFA militants to have laid down arms has gone up to 8,718. 4,993 cadres surrendered between 1991 and 1998. 3,435 surrendered between 1998 and 2005, when a new policy to deal with the ULFA was unveiled.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/story/234924.html "ULFA morale hit as more cadres surrender"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515214721/http://www.indianexpress.com/story/234924.html |date=15 May 2008 }}, ''[[The Indian Express]]'', 2 November 2007</ref> On 24 January 2012, one of northeast India's biggest surrender ceremonies took place in Assam's main city of Guwahati, when a total of 676 militants laid down their weapons.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120124192328/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/northeast/700-militants-surrender-arms-assam-554 "700 militants surrender arms in Assam"], ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'', 24 January 2012</ref> In 2020, 1,675 militants of ULFA(I) and allied militant groups surrendered.<ref>{{cite news |title=63 members of 4 militant groups surrender before Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/63-members-of-4-militant-groups-surrender-before-assam-cm-sarbananda-sonowal-929950.html |access-date=4 January 2021 |work=Deccan Herald |date=21 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2003, ULFA had put forward a set of three preconditions for talks and negotiations with the Indian government. Thought government had rejected these preconditions. The preconditions were:

# The talks should be held in a third country.
# The talks should be held under United Nations supervision.
# The agenda of the talks should include the independence of Assam.

Despite dropping the first two key preconditions in 2004 and expressing readiness for talks, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) faced an Indian government unwilling to negotiate on sovereignty. However, progress emerged when ULFA formed the "[[People's Consultative Group|People's Consultative Group" (PCG)]] in September 2005, aiming to pave the way for negotiations. The government welcomed this initiative. Following sustained army operations in [[Dibru-Saikhowa National Park]], ULFA suffered significant losses in leadership, personnel, and infrastructure, prompting their return to the negotiating table in 2005. According to [[The Times of India]], initial talks occurred at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence in December 2005. Three rounds of peace talks with the 11-member PCG, led by Assamese writer [[Mamoni Raisom Goswami|Indira Goswami]], resulted in a temporary truce in August 2006. However, the truce collapsed by September 23 due to ULFA's resumption of violent activities against civilians, primarily targeting tea estates and oil pipelines. They also violated the ceasefire by attacking army columns.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://o3.indiatimes.com/palashbiswas/archive/2007/10/20/4793351.aspx | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=North East Military Peace Tango | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323122913/http://o3.indiatimes.com/palashbiswas/archive/2007/10/20/4793351.aspx | archive-date=23 March 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 24 June 2008, some leaders and cadres of the A and C companies of ULFA declared unilateral ceasefire at a press meet held at Amarpur in Tinsukia district. They declared the ceasefire to pressure the [[top brass]] of ULFA to sit on negotiation table with the Government of India. But the top brass of ULFA expelled the leaders of 28 Battalion led by [[Mrinal Hazarika]] and Jiten Dutta (who had managed to escape from the cordon of Indian Army in Dibru Saikhowa National Park). The group later renamed as ULFA (Pro-talk).

Lt [[Bijoy Chinese]] alias Bijoy Das, Commander of 28th Battalion also surrendered to state authorities in 2013.<ref>[http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/3909.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528214152/http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/3909.html|date=28 May 2010}}</ref>

Between 2009 and 2018, entire leadership of ULFA was either Captured or surrendered to the government thus leading to disbanding of the all ULFA battalions, besides only part of 27th battalion renamed as Kapili Gut remained. Currently, there are no commanders other than Paresh Baruah. All the others have been downgraded to staff and workers.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} As per the leaders of the insurgent group, the crackdown against Indian insurgent groups by the [[Awami League|Awami league government]] in Bangladesh pushed them towards joining peace talks with the Indian government in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karmakar |first=Sumir |date=31 December 2023 |title=ULFA leaders say crackdown in Bangladesh forced them to join peace talks with govt |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/assam/ulfa-leaders-say-crackdown-in-bangladesh-forced-them-to-sign-peace-pact-with-government-2830771 |work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

In December 2023, a peace accord was signed by the Government of India, the [[Government of Assam|Assamese government]] and the pro-talks faction of ULFA, led by [[Arabinda Rajkhowa]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deb |first=Debraj |date=December 31, 2023 |title=ULFA peace accord: history of its 44-year-long insurgency, peace talks |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/ulfa-peace-accord-history-of-its-44-year-long-insurgency-peace-talks-9088017/lite/ |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Achom |first=Debanish |date=December 29, 2023 |title=ULFA To Be Disbanded, Says Amit Shah On Historic Peace Deal |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-ulfa-sign-historic-peace-deal-in-delhi-4764142 |work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> This resulted in the disbandment of ULFA, the vacating of all designated camps, and the surrender of 8,200 cadres. The accord carried a Rs 1.5 lakh crore financial package, which includes setting up of an [[Indian Institutes of Management|IIM]] and an [[Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research|IISER]], new railway and national highways in the state. [[Paresh Baruah|Paresh Barua]], leader of the anti-talks faction of the ULFA, termed the tripartite peace agreement signed with the pro-talks faction of the outfit as 'shameful' and was unwilling to come to the negotiating table unless the issue of 'Assam's sovereignty' is discussed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 December 2023 |title=Peace accord 'shameful', political settlement not possible when goals, ideals given up: ULFA(I) |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/assam/peace-accord-shameful-political-settlement-not-possible-when-goals-ideals-given-up-ulfai-2830618 |work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

The ULFA(I) faction who is not part of the peace deal, which has around 200 members are still active in their camps in Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite news |author=M P Nathanael |date=18 January 2024 |title=Will Assam agreement end insurgency? |newspaper=Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/will-assam-agreement-end-insurgency-2855290}}</ref>

==Links to China==
The leftover faction of ULFA has been using China for shelter following expulsion from both Myanmar and Bangladesh. ULFA's commander-in-chief, Paresh Baruah, has taken refuge in [[Yunnan]], China. He is also receives funding and patronage from the Chinese [[Ministry of State Security (China)|Ministry of State Security]].<ref name="auto"/>

==See also==
*[[Operation Bajrang]]
*[[Insurgency in Northeast India]]
*[[People's Consultative Group]]
*[[Sanjukta Mukti Fouj]]
*[[List of terrorist organisations in India]]
*[[Secret killings of Assam]]
*[[List of top ULFA leaders]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Footnotes==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite journal
  | last = Nath
  | first = Sunil
  | title = Assam: The Secessionist Insurgency and the Freedom of Minds
  | journal = Faultlines
  | volume = 13
  | publisher = South Asia Terrorism Portal
  | url = http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/faultlines/volume13/Article2.htm
  | access-date = 29 December 2007 }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091027113256/http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/7434/ulfa.htm ULFA Archived home page]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080406045824/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1301D023-2F79-459F-91F7-D2BFA1186382.htm Bloody Tea] – Program on [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Aljazeera]] telecast beginning 30 May 2007. On YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ApgM8cbxF8 Part 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP2JVQATGz0 Part 2]. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
*[http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/terrorist_outfits/ulfa.htm ULFA – Terrorist Group from Assam] from [http://satp.org/ South Asia Terrorism Portal]
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/assam.htm Assam] at GlobalSecurity.org
*[http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20070126002803200.htm Report on the most recent ULFA attack on poor migrant workers, January 2007]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*[http://in.news.yahoo.com/060614/48/652pv.html "''ULFA cadres went to Pak via Bangla for training in explosives, say Assam cops''"]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – article in ''Yahoo! India News'' dated 15 June 2006
*[http://in.news.yahoo.com/060614/48/652q3.html "Media gag must go, journalists tell ULFA"]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – article in ''Yahoo! India News'' dated 15 June 2006
*[http://in.news.yahoo.com/060614/48/652q9.html "'Respect right to freedom of expression':Media to ULFA"]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – article in ''Yahoo! India News'' dated 15 June 2006
*[http://in.news.yahoo.com/060612/139/650c7.html "''Assam on Red Alert following fresh ULFA strike''"]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – article in ''Yahoo! India News'' dated 12 June 2006
*[http://in.news.yahoo.com/060612/210/64zu8.html "''Market blast kills at least 4 in Indian northeast''"]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – article in ''Yahoo! India News'' dated 12 June 2006
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/15/international/asia/15india.html "''Bomb kills 10 at India Independence Parade''"] – article in [[New York Times]] dated 15 August 2004
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120823081724/http://www.asianage.com/ideas/assam-how-ulfa-terrorism-altered-demographic-pattern-006 Assam: How Ulfa terrorism altered demographic pattern] dated 15 August 2012
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100413110935/http://sandhikhyan.org/ sandhikhyan – The e-Magazine of ULFA (Protalk)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110728141249/http://pti.news.ueltv.org/2009/12/03/National/ULFA-RAJKHOWA/Delhi Wayback Machine]
<!--an attempt at an NPOV cat, please see cat page if you have POV concerns-->
{{India separatist movements}}
{{Terror outfits}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:United Liberation Front of Asom}}
[[Category:1979 establishments in Assam]]
[[Category:Assamese nationalism]]
[[Category:Banned socialist parties]]
[[Category:Ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Insurgency in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Left-wing militant groups in India]]
[[Category:National liberation movements]]
[[Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by India]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Asia designated as terrorist]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Assam]]
[[Category:Politics of Assam]]
[[Category:Sivasagar]]
[[Category:Terrorism in Assam]]