Assam Police conducts searches for explosives across state after discovery of "suspicious articles"

Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 15 (ANI): The Assam Police carried out searches for explosive devices in several places across the state on Independence Day after "suspicious articles" were found in a few cities and towns, including Guwahati.
Assam Director General of Police, GP Singh said, "Assam Police has carried out extensive searches throughout the State today for explosive devices. At two places in Guwahati, suspicious articles were found which were opened by the Bomb Disposal Squad of Police."
"These articles do not have ignition devices inside although some circuits and batteries are seen. The substance inside is being sent for forensic, chemical examination. Similar articles have been seen at Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Nalbari and Nagaon which have been safely disposed of," it said.
Accordingly, an appropriate lawful investigation has been initiated in this connection.
Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Barah also spoke on the matter and said, "This morning another information was given by the chief of ULFA Independent that there are 8 locations in Guwahati where they have planted IEDs."
"From our police side, we have done a thorough search of all 8 locations, and in 6 locations we did not find any suspicious objects. But in two places, one in the Panbazar area and the other in Gandhibasti, we found two objects, they are IED-like objects that have circuits, detonators, and batteries, but the ignition mechanism is absent," said the official.
"We can say, it is an IED-like object but the ignition or triggering mechanism is absent. Whether the substance we have found is explosive or not can be ascertained only by chemical testing, he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Assam Police launched a crackdown on drug trafficking, conducting two anti-narcotics operations and seizing over 635 grams of heroin.
In the first operation, Karimganj Police intercepted a vehicle at Gilaiti Hills that was travelling from a neighbouring state. Upon inspection, officers discovered 305 grams of heroin concealed within the vehicle.
Two individuals were apprehended in connection with this incident and are currently under investigation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X.
Earlier, in June, the Assam Police seized 1.7 kilograms of heroin worth approximately Rs 8.5 crore and arrested one person in the Dholaikhal area near the Assam-Mizoram border. (ANI)