'Ulfa-I' IED blast bid foiled in Guwahati

GUWAHATI: Security across Assam has been stepped up after two IEDs planted by suspected Ulfa (Independent) rebels were found at different locations in the city ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kokrajhar on Friday to attend celebrations of the recently-signed Bodo peace accord.
The two IEDs were found packed in bags at Panbazar and Paltan Bazar areas here late on Wednesday. "The two IEDs had timer devices and were set to explode today (February 6)," a police source said.
The IEDs were recovered by police following revelations from an Ulfa (I) cadre, Raktim Gogoi, at Pengaree in Tinsukia district on Wednesday. Gogoi was brought to Guwahati and produced before a local court on Thursday, from where he was taken into police custody for five days.
Assam Police additional director general (law and order) GP Singh said in his tweet, "@GhtyCityPolice has made significant recovery of IEDs from Panbazar and Paltanbazar area. These were planted by ULFA to vitiate the peaceful environment in the state. We remain alert to evil designs of nefarious elements."
Guwahati police commissioner Munna Prasad Gupta said, "The bomb squad took the IEDs away from the populated locations and they were detonated safely later. We suspect that this is the handiwork of Ulfa (I). However, only after interrogation of the arrested militant cadre can we give you more details." He added, "We cannot immediately say if the IEDs were planted because of the PM's visit. Our investigation is underway."
Ulfa (I) had exploded four low-intensity IEDs in upper Assam on Republic Day. There was no casualty or reports of any injury to human beings or damage to public property because of those blasts.