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Assam police launch search ops after ULFA-I claim bombs planted across state

According to the police, the outfit purportedly sent an email to several media houses, after which the news became public, creating panic among the people

Published on: Aug 15, 2024, 18:59:00 IST
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Guwahati: The Assam police on Friday launched a massive search operation after the United Liberation of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), a banned insurgent organisation, claimed they had placed 24 bombs across the state on independence day, officials said.

Assam police recover bomb-like items at many places (Twitter Photo)
Assam police recover bomb-like items at many places (Twitter Photo)

Officials said that during the searches, which were carried out by bomb squads, several bomb-like items were recovered, adding that no blasts occurred at any place.

According to the police, the outfit purportedly sent an email to several media houses, after which the news became public, creating panic among the people.

In the email, the outfit mentioned the areas where the so-called bombs were placed, said police. It named two locations in Sibsagar and Lakhimpur, one in Lakuwa, Dibrugarh, Laluk, Borghat, Nagaon, Nalbari, and Tamulpur, and eight locations in Guwahati.

The outfit stated that bombs were placed at five other places in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, and Sarupathar but did not specify their exact locations. However, it asserted that the bombs did not explode due to “technical failure”.

According to a statement from ULFA-I’s publicity wing, the blasts were scheduled to take place between 6am and 12pm on independence day, but it did not happen due to technical failure and urged the public to find the bombs and deactivate them.

In a post on X, Assam police chief GP Singh said that at two places in Guwahati, suspicious articles were found by the bomb disposal squad.

He added that these articles did not have ignition devices. “The substance inside is being sent for forensic/chemical examination”.

He added that similar articles were recovered from Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Nalbari, and Nagaon, which have been safely disposed of.

Investigations have been initiated into the recoveries, added Singh.

  • Utpal Parashar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Utpal Parashar

    A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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