Blast, encounters rock Asom

Guwahati, June 12 (UNI) The ULFA today triggered a massive explosion near Hajo, killing two and injuring thirty others while security forces had two encounters in the city early this morning, killing one ULFA activist and recovering huge amount of arms.

The police source confirmed that IED was exploded at Buldudh market near Hajo, about 50 kilometer from here. The bomb went off at around 1330 hours when the market was teeming with activities.

Two people were killed on the spot and thirty others injured in the explosion. The injured were sent to Guwahati medical College(GMC) and at least six of them were in critical condition.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi expressed concern over the attack and called for a law and order review meeting this evening.

Meanwhile, an ULFA rebel was killed, another arrested and a huge cache of explosives recovered in separate operations by police here last night.

City SSP Surinder Kumar told UNI that an ULFA rebel was killed in an encounter at Nabinnagar in the heart of the city at around 0200 hours.

The hardcore rebel, Dibjyoti Kalita, was taking shelter at a residence in the area when the search was conducted.

Two IEDs weighing 5 kg each, an Austria-made grenade, four detonators and a motorcycle were seized from the slain militant.

In another encounter, police busted a hide-out of the rebel group at Dhirenpara. Though the rebels managed to escape after a few round of exchange of fire, police recovered 27 detonators, one IED, 2 kg explosives, four PTD switches, ammunition and a car from the house of one Akon Das where the militants had taken shelter.

Mr Kumar said one Tapan, a bomb expert of the ULFA who was involved in the recent explosions in the Ganeshguri area, suffered bullet injuries but managed to escape.

Search operations continued in the area to trace him and his accomplices.

Another ULFA militant, Dandiram Barman, was also arrested in the Bhaskarnagar area of the city last night.

The recovery of the explosives and presence of the rebels in the heart of the city suggest that the outfit was planning some major attacks in the city, police sources indicated.

UNI