The Indian military reportedly carried out a rare cross-border drone strike on October 20, bombing Karm Way Lawri village in Lahe Township, Sagaing Region, on the India border, and killing two local residents, according to reports.
The strike targeted the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K (NSCN-K), an armed group fighting for autonomy from the Indian government, with bombs hitting homes in Karm Way Lawri village, according to Naga media.
Local organisations reported that an 8-year-old child and the 27-year-old son of NSCN-K Major General Pi Aung were killed, and four others were injured. A political observer and analyst who requested anonymity told Myanmar Now it was the second cross-border attack by the Indian military into Myanmar this year.
“This is the second time in 2025 alone,” the political analyst said. “The attack was not on an NSCN-K camp, but in the village itself. Although Indian media outlets are reporting extensively on this issue, the Indian military has never publicly acknowledged their attacks, neither before nor now.”
On July 13, the Indian military also launched drone strikes into Nanyun and Lahe townships in Myanmar’s Naga area, marking the first cross-border attack of the year.
The political observer told Myanmar Now that Naga communities living along the India-Myanmar frontier have long sought to establish themselves as an independent nation, a goal the Indian government rejects. He said the strikes were intended to curb the activities of the NSCN-K.
The observer added that Myanmar’s military regime has remained silent in the face of India’s repeated drone attacks and reconnaissance missions inside Myanmar territory. NSCN-K issued a statement last week strongly condemning India’s military attack.
Salai Dokhar, founder of the civil society group India for Myanmar, echoed outrage over the attacks, stating that India’s cross-border assaults demonstrate the Indian government’s lack of concern for civilians.
Salai Dokhar noted that NSCN-K has released statements opposing Myanmar’s anti-junta Spring Revolution forces and has reportedly maintained links with the military regime.
“I see it as a backstabbing situation,” Salai Dokhar told Myanmar Now. “Some Indian armed groups, including Meitei (also known as Kathe) forces, are allied with the Myanmar junta.”
“But it’s more likely that after India pressured the Myanmar military council, they provided intelligence about exact locations of the rebels, then gave permission to bomb them.”
He added that the junta is coordinating attacks on resistance forces with Indian insurgents, while India has remained silent. Experts say there may be a tacit understanding between New Delhi and the junta to undermine each other’s rebel groups, noting that Manipur’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA, a separatist militant group in Manipur, is also cooperating with the regime.
Although India has accepted many Myanmar war refugees, its forces have also cracked down on Myanmar resistance fighters. In May, the Assam Rifles, an Indian paramilitary group, arrested and killed 10 members of the Tamu-PDO sending shockwaves through resistance circles.
