NIA seizes IED from Assam’s Lakhimpur

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday recovered a “live” improvised explosive device (IED) from Assam’s Lakhimpur district.

I-Day blast plan

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The NIA found out about the bomb during an investigation into a case relating to the previous recovery of IEDs from North Lakhimpur district by the Assam Police on August 15.

Sources said the explosive, placed by ULFA (Independent) terrorists as part of their Independence Day disruption conspiracy, was recovered early this morning by an NIA team. Later, the device was defused by the bomb disposal squad of the Assam Police.

The NIA found out about the bomb during an investigation into a case relating to the previous recovery of IEDs from North Lakhimpur district by the Assam Police on August 15. The state police had swung into action following the release of a video by Paresh Baruah, a fugitive leader of ULFA(I), declaring a “military” protest by the banned terror outfit across Assam on Independence Day.

The NIA, which took over the investigation from the state police on September 17, found that the ULFA(I) leadership had coordinated the placement of several IEDs with the intention to trigger blasts at multiple locations across Assam to protest against this year’s Independence Day celebrations. The investigation into the case further revealed the involvement of one Girish Baruah, alias Gautam Baruah, and his associates in the movement and placement of IEDs in North Lakhimpur district.

Baruah, who was arrested by the NIA from Bengaluru on September 24, disclosed the location of the IED seized in North Lakhimpur.

He told the NIA that the IEDs had been arranged and planted at the behest of Aishang Asom, alias Abhiit Gogoi, and other top leadership of ULFA (I).