ULFA bombs Guwahati to sabotage triple mega events; 7 killed

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Guwahati, June 23 (UNI) At least seven people were killed and 16 injured, mostly Muslims, in a suspected ULFA bomb blast that rocked the precincts of one of the North East's oldest mosques here in Machkhowa market this morning in an attempt to sabotage three international events Guwahati hosted today.

DIG (City) G P Singh said the blast was targeted at sabotaging the mega events in the capital city.

Immediately after the blast, security arrangements for the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix, the Ambubachi Mela and a Thai delegation visit were reviewed and extra forces were deployed at the venues.

As many as seven people were killed and 16 injured in the powerful blast that ripped apart a makeshift vegetable market, barely 20 metres from the Machkhowa Masjid, at about 0725 hrs.

Mr Singh informed that the IED was kept in a vegetable basket on a bicycle, parked near the gate of the mosque.

While four were killed on the spot, two others succumbed on the way to hospital and another in the hospital. The dead included two minors.

The husband and a ten-year-old son of a block Congress leader were also among the victims. The injured were shifted to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

Police suspect the hand of ULFA behind the blast, though the militant group was yet to own the responsibility.

District Magistrate Avinash Joshi, who rushed to the spot, said: ''There was threat perception to the city and we had specific intelligence inputs. But in spite of tight security, the blast took place. It is a matter of serious concern.'' The militants appeared to have taken advantage of light security arrangements in the morning.

Meanwhile, the blast also raised security questions over the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix today, as the bomb site was barely two km from where most of the athletes were staying.

The DIG said security has been reviewed after the blast.

The Army has been already handed over the Stadium complex, making it bound for all unauthorised personnel.

A Thai delegation, along with Union Ministers Mani Shankar Aiyar and Jairam Ramesh, also arrived in the city today, making it a harrowing time for the state administration to maintain law and order here.

UNI

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