Four killed in Asom as ULFA strikes Guwahati, Jorhat

Guwahati, Aug 7 (UNI) In the run up to the Independence Day, the outlawed ULFA stepped up its offensive in Asom, exploding two powerful bombs, killing three people, while a civilian was gunned down by the banned KLNLF in another incident.

Three persons, including Congress' student wing NSUI leader Pranjal Gogoi, were killed and at least 16 injured when suspected ULFA militants exploded a powerful IED in front of the main police station in the Chief Minister's home district Jorhat this evening.

Official sources said the IED, kept on a cycle near a pan shop in front of the Jorhat Sadar police station, went off at around 1830 hours.

Three people succumbed to their injuries on way to the hospital.

Two policemen, sub-inspectors Tapan Chakraborty and Jatin Gogoi, were among ten people, who were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

This was after a long gap that the ULFA had targeted Jorhat, known as the cultural capital of Asom.

The entire blast site was cordoned off.

Senior police officials had rushed to the spot and a massive manhunt was launched in the area.

The government had announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh for the victims.

The second bomb exploded in the busy Ganeshguri area of Guwahati at around 2007 hours.

Two passersby, including a woman, were injured in the blast.

Eyewitnesses said the bomb, an IED, was kept in a dustbin adjacent to the footpath along the R G Baruah Road.

Three vehicles were also damaged in the explosion.

In another incident, a trader was gunned down by suspected KLNLF militants at Joporajan under Howraghat police station this noon.

The trader, who owned a small shop, was shot dead from close range when she was cleaning her vegetable shop at around 1230 hours.

Sources apprehended that the ULFA might strike on or ahead of the Independence Day, and security agencies had sounded an alert throughout the state.

The Unified Command also met in the state capital to review the security arrangements, while the Army had chalked out a strategy to deal with the subversive attacks.

The security forces had been sent into a tizzy following the blast with police and CRPF intensifying frisking and patrolling.

Spotters and policemen had been deployed in civvies and village defence parties roped in to deal the terror strikes.

UNI