The Paresh Baruah-led United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) has smuggled in RDX-5 explosives into Assam to unleash violence in Guwahati and other districts of the state and also target oil refinery and railway assets on the eve of Independence Day, warn intelligence agencies.
"To implement the plan they have already managed to smuggle in RDX-5 category explosives inside the state. Guwahati is the key target along with districts of Goalpara, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh. Also, oil refineries and installations along with railways are under threat," Eastern Chronicle quoted an intelligence official as saying.
RDX 5 is supposed to the most lethal grade explosive in the RDX range, Eastern Chronicle added.
The official further said the ULFA-I has teamed up with two other militant outfits, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) and the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, to carry out the attacks.
A paradigm shift in their modus operandi is to exploit the complacency that follows heightened security during and till the Independence Day.
"While, normally the rebel groups are seen to target the period before or on Independence Day, this time they reportedly plan to strike even between 18 August and 25 August, if they fail on the eve of 15 August. The militants will try to take advantage of the relaxation of the security after Independence Day," the official said.
The security forces are on alert in Guwahati, according to the police. "We are beefing up security in the city. We are alert and security is being continuously reviewed," said a senior police official. He added that the security arrangements were discussed with public sector companies in the refinery complex.
