Two explosive devices were safely defused through controlled explosion at the Polo ground.

The bomb squad of Army on Friday diffused two powerful IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) which were recovered from the possession of a banned ULFA (Independent) cadre in Dibrugarh district.

On Thursday night, the Ulfa-I rebel identified as Jantu Baruah was nabbed from Tingkhong area during a joint operation conducted by the Army’s 9 Rajputana Rifles and Assam police.

During the search, one 7.65mm pistol, one magazine and live round of ammunition, two IEDs, materials used for making IEDs and one mobile phone were recovered from his possession.

The two explosive devices were then shifted to the Polo ground in Paltan Bazar area.

On Friday around 1.15 pm the two explosive devices were safely defused through controlled explosion at the Polo ground by the bomb squad team which came from the Dinjan Military Station.

The IEDs are frequently used by ULFA-I insurgents to trigger serial blast during Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in the state.

On Monday, the troops of Indian Army in a joint operation with Assam police busted a recruitment racket of ULFA (I) and rescued a minor from Charaideo district in upper Assam.

Amid the Covid-19 lockdown, the insurgent groups are trying their best to recruit new cadres and activated their over ground worker (OGW) for fresh recruitment.

“ULFA (I) is targeting the upper Assam area and trying their best to recruit new cadres. Many ULFA (I) cadres had laid their arms and many of them were arrested so far. Upper Assam area has always been an important ground for the insurgent group to recruit new cadres,” a police source said.

Avik Chakraborty is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dibrugarh. He can be reached at: [email protected]