In a major breakthrough for the Assam Police and the NIA in the investigation into the planting of IED-like materials at 24 different locations across the state to trigger a series of blasts on Independence Day, the former on Sunday (September 22) announced the arrest of 15 persons in connection with the case.
In a detailed statement, Assam Police provided information on the investigation conducted by the authorities. They said the operation, held in collaboration with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), led to the arrest of 15 persons, including three women, who have revealed incriminating information regarding the incident.
"In a breakthrough in the investigation of incidents involving the planting of suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-like materials in various parts of Assam during this year's Independence Day celebrations, Assam Police, with technical support from the NIA, conducted coordinated raids in different parts of the state on Saturday night and apprehended 15 persons, including three women," the Assam Police said in a statement.
"Incriminating facts have been uncovered after preliminary interrogation of the apprehended persons, and more information about the conspiracy is expected to emerge after prolonged interrogation," the statement added.
15 arrested in an joint investigation
It is pertinent to note that among those arrested, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur districts account for six arrests, while Jorhat and Guwahati account for four. Additionally, one accused each was held from Tinsukia, Sadiya, Nagaon, Nalbari, and Tamulpur.
Significantly, the present arrests were in addition to the four arrests made from Sivasagar district in connection to the case.
The case highlights
The case first came to light after the banned terrorist organization ULFA(I) sent an email to various media houses, claiming to have planted explosives at 24 locations to trigger serial blasts across the state on Independence Day.
In the purported email, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) asserted that the bombs did not explode due to "technical failure." "ULFA(I) stated that the blasts were scheduled to occur between 6 a.m. and noon on August 15, but after the failure of the operation, the group sought public cooperation in defusing the explosive devices."
Immediately, prompted by the situation, security forces sent multiple teams, including bomb disposal squads, to all the locations mentioned by ULFA(I), assisted by other central security forces, including the Army to dispose off the situation. However, Police later uncovered these "bomb-like substances" from at least 10 locations, including four in Guwahati. Moreover, Assam Police had earlier formed multiple Special Investigation Teams (SITs) in 10 districts to investigate the case where "bomb-like substances" were discovered after ULFA(I)'s claim.
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