Ulfa rebels sneak into India, plan attacks on Independence Day

Elusive Ulfa(I) chief, Paresh Baruah, has sent a team of Ulfa rebels from Burma to carry out subversive activities in upper Assam districts in the run up to Independence Day.

Disclosing that Ulfa rebels are reported to have crossed over the international border and entered Arunachal Pradesh on their way to Assam, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that the state police has already been alerted and asked to take necessary steps to foil their attempts.

Informing that failure of Ulfa (I) rebels in carrying out any subversive activities has demorlised the Ulfa (I) leadership, security sources said that the outfit was desperate to make their presence felt.

Pointing out that the security agencies are yet to establish the identity of Ulfa (I) rebels, security sources said that instructions have been given to Ulfa rebels to target security forces and trigger bomb blasts in public places.

Indicating that security forces are keeping a close watch on the movement of groups of heavily armed Ulfa (I) rebels, security sources however rejected the media report on some jihadi elements sneaking into India from Bangladesh. Security sources said some of the villagers in South Garo Hills claimed to have spotted a group of five unknown youths with backpacks who were asking about the route to Guwahati. Pointing out that the villagers spotted them on Monday night and reported to the police on Tuesday morning, security sources said that Meghalaya police launched a massive search operation in the area but could not trace them.

Asserting that it may be the case of mistaken identity, security sources said that Assam Police have already been alerted. Security sources said that more than the jihadi elements, Assam is facing a bigger threat from Ulfa (I) which is desperate to launch offensive activities in the state.

Security sources however clarified that they did not rule out the chances of jihadi elements crossing over to India for shelter but they are yet to get any concrete evidence of any such attempt.