ULFA(I) Claims Planting of 24 Bombs Across Assam, Security Forces on High Alert
The insurgent group ULFA (Independent), a banned militant outfit in Assam, has triggered widespread panic after claiming that it planted 24 bombs across the state on Thursday. The group made this startling declaration in an email sent to media outlets, including PTI. The message listed 19 exact locations, with ULFA(I) mentioning that the placement details for the remaining five bombs were unspecified. Security forces, police teams, and bomb disposal squads are now racing to ensure the safety of citizens, combing the identified locations for any traces of explosives.
Despite the alarming claim, there have been no confirmed reports of bomb recoveries yet. In some regions, like Nagaon, Lakhimpur, and Sivasagar, local police teams reportedly found suspicious "bomb-like materials." However, these findings remain inconclusive as experts are still verifying whether these objects are actual explosives.
The email from ULFA(I) attributed the failure of the bombs to detonate to "technical issues." Interestingly, the outfit requested public cooperation in defusing the explosives, which appears to be a rare move for the militant group. This tactic could be intended to spread fear while avoiding mass casualties.
The police have taken these claims seriously and deployed extensive resources to investigate the potential threats. Senior officers have been stationed at all identified locations, coordinating search efforts with specialized bomb disposal units, metal detectors, and sniffer dogs. Streets around the listed areas have been cordoned off, and traffic has been redirected as a precautionary measure.
Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, is at the center of this tense situation, with eight of the 24 alleged bomb locations situated there. Notable spots include an open field at Last Gate in Dispur, an area near the official residences of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other ministers, as well as Satgaon Road near the Army cantonment in Narengi. Additional locations mentioned in the email are Ashram Road, Panbazar, Jorabat, Bhetapara, Maligaon, and Rajgarh within Guwahati.
Beyond the capital, districts like Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, Tamulpur, Tinsukia, and Golaghat have also been cited as sites where bombs might be planted. Authorities in these regions are conducting thorough searches and maintaining heightened vigilance.
ULFA(I) has a long history of insurgency and violence in Assam, seeking an independent Assamese state. While peace talks have been held with some factions of the group, the anti-peace talk wing led by Paresh Baruah remains active and has been responsible for several violent incidents over the years.
This latest threat by ULFA(I) comes at a time when the region is witnessing relative peace, raising concerns that the group is attempting to reassert its presence and intimidate the government. The situation remains tense as search operations continue, with security forces staying on high alert to prevent any possible attack.
Authorities are urging the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity immediately. The coming hours will be crucial in determining whether ULFA(I)’s claims are genuine or a tactic aimed at spreading fear without actual violence.
As the security sweep intensifies, Assam remains on edge, hoping that this threat does not manifest into a dangerous reality.
