16 injured in suspected ULFA attacks in Asom

Guwahati, Dec 21 (UNI) As many as 16 people were injured in a series of suspected ULFA-engineered attacks in Asom.

A blast occurred in Athgaon are of the state capital at about 1600 hrs. At least 13 people were injured in the blast.

Eye-witnesses said the a bicycle-mounted man placed the bomb.

However, he managed to escape.

The injured were rushed to a nearby hospitals.

In the second incident in the city, suspected ULFA militants pumped seven bullets into the body of the owner of an automobile shop near Basistha area at about 1615 hours.

The man was taken to a nearby private hospital in a critical state.

Earlier in the morning, two people were injured in a grenade attack at Gaurisagar area of Sibsagar town in Upper Asom. The injured included a 14-year-old boy.

Reports from Sibsagar said two motor-cycle-borne suspected ULFA militants had lobbed the grenade.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has condemned the Athgaon blast calling it handiwork of people who want to disrupt peace in the state.

He said the security forces have been instructed to tighten vigil across the state and special checking and more personnel to be posted at crowded areas.

Parliamentary Secretary (Home) Dildar Razza has also condemned the incident, adding that security would be put at greater alert.

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