Arms haul in Guwahati, three ultras arrested

Guwahati, Apr 28 (UNI) Police today arrested three Ulfa activists including two top leaders, and seized a huge cache of arms here.

Police said the three rebels-- Sashanka Barua, Mani Gowala and Rakhi, were arrested during a frisking operation in Jalukbari at around 1200 hrs.

The trio were travelling from Dhupdhora in Goalpara in lower Asom to Guwahati, the police said.

A huge cache of arms, including two M-20 pistols, four magazines, eight Austria-made hand grenades, 4.5 kg RDX, 190 rounds of live AK rifle ammunition, two switches of programmable time devices (PTDs) and an IED remote control, were seized from their possession along with seven letter pads of the ULFA, Rs 11,000 cash and other incriminating documents.

Police said Sashanka Barua is the 'organizing secretary' of the ULFA's 28th battalion, the main strike force of the outfit.

Rakhi was earlier arrested during the 'Operation All Clear' in Bhutan in 2003.

The duo, along with driver Mani Gowala, will be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court tomorrow.

Police suspect the militants were planning a major attack in the capital city.

UNI