Militants targeting Asian Grand Prix; Army

Guwahati, June 19 (UNI) Security was intensified acrose the city to thwart any terror attack following the Army's statement today that Militants were planning to target the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix, scheduled on June 23.

According to an official statement issued by the IV corps headquarters from Tezpur, a major blast in Guwahati city was averted by troops of the Red Horn Division, who apprehended two ULFA ultras in Nagaon district yesterday.

The Army statement said based on reliable information from intelligence sources, both the ULFA ultras were nabbed with 1.5kg of explosives, two detonators and a battery with timer.

The terrorists have been identified as Self Styled Private Joni Pathak @ Tilak Boro and Krishna Borah, who were carrying these explosives to Guwahati for carrying out blasts during the forthcoming Asian Grand Prix, to inflict maximum casualties.

The disclosure has led to heightening of security by the state administration and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is personally monitoring the situation.

The Asian Grand Prix series has entered the sixth year. Like last year, it is a three-leg circuit with the opener at the National Stadium here on June 19.

Started in 2002 with a view to providing top-level competition to the Asian athletes, especially those who are unable to get into the Golden League and Grand Prix meets, the Asian circuit has given opportunities to the ''lesser lights'', particularly from the host countries, to get a taste of a higher level of competition.

The field, with more than 200 athletes in the fray, looks far better than the previous year with the presence of seven Asian Games champions giving the series greater stature.

UNI