Blast at Bijni,explosives found ahead of ULFA's 'Martyrs' Day

Guwahati, July 25 (UNI) Ahead of ULFA's 'Martyrs' Day', the outlawed outfit triggered a powerful blast in Lower Asom's Chirang district, while police recovered explosives in Upper Asom's Dibrugarh district last night. Police today said the blast took place last night at a tower of Powergrid passing through a paddy field in Bijni. A portion of the tower was damaged in the explosion. But there was no casualty. Three bombs were also found near the blast site, which were later defused.

In another incident, a hardcore ULFA rebel was nabbed during a joint operation by the Army and police in the heart of Dibrugarh town late last night.

An IED weighing about 10 kg was seized from his possession.

During interrogation, the rebel, belonging to the ULFA's '28th battalion', revealed that the IED was meant to be exploded during the Independence Day celebrations at the parade ground in Chowkidingee in Dibrugarh. The incident comes ahead of the ULFA's 'Martrys' Day' on July 27 and the country's Independence Day celebrations. The outfit is known to strike on both the days.

On July 23, top Army commanders reviewed the state's situation in Counter Terrorist Operations and strategy to deal with the rebels in view of ULFA's self proclaimed 'Martyrs' Day' and likely violence was discussed.

The Army had claimed that the outfit was preparing to strike at various places on its 'Martyrs' Day'.

Two terrorists, arrested in Tinsukia five days ago, also revealed that the explosives seized from them were meant to be used by the outfit on the day.

Following intelligence reports, security had been beefed up in the entire state to thwart any subversive acts of the rebels.Extra forces had been deployed in vulnerable areas, public places and oil installations.

UNI