Security forces on Sunday claimed to have foiled a major terror attack by arresting five militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in separate raids in the heart of Assam's main city of Guwahati.
A police spokesperson said the five ULFA rebels were in Guwahati to stage terror attacks, including explosions, besides carrying out extortion.
Two rebels were arrested from Guwahati's Hengrabari area on Saturday, while three more were arrested from the city's Gandhibasti area late Friday.
The police, however, kept the arrests under wraps for security reasons.
"The arrests were significant as we had intelligence reports of the ULFA planning some attacks in the city and nearby areas. We are interrogating the arrested militants for vital clues," a senior police officer said.
The arrests are significant as police earlier this week claimed to have got wind of militant plans to carry out serial attacks in Dhekiajuli and Tezpur in northern Assam before Oct 31.
"Intercepts of radio communications revealed militants were planning to carry out attacks in Dhekiajuli and Tezpur. We could get vital clues from the arrested militants about the plan," the official said.
{{/usCountry}}"Intercepts of radio communications revealed militants were planning to carry out attacks in Dhekiajuli and Tezpur. We could get vital clues from the arrested militants about the plan," the official said.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, a massive security offensive was also launched against the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in western Assam after they killed 13 people Oct 2 in Sonitpur district in northern Assam.