The Assam police have claimed to have foiled a mass casualty terror attack after arresting two armed cadres of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) in Tinsukia district. The two men, identified as self-styled ‘second lieutenants’ Humenjyoti Baruah (27) and Papu Moran (30), were arrested on Friday at Jagun in Tinsukia district. Both Baruah and Moran are natives of Tinsukia district.
The police operation was conducted with the assistance of central agencies and security forces. Tinsukia SSP Mayank Kumar stated that the preliminary investigation revealed the two were tasked by ULFA (I) to carry out indiscriminate firing and kill innocent civilians in the town, creating an atmosphere of fear in the region. The planned modus operandi suggests the influence of external actors to destabilize the region.
The police seized several items from their possession, including two AK-56 rifles, 172 rounds of AK ammunition, and two hand grenades. Other items recovered included food supplies meant for prolonged jungle survival, backpacks, and other war-like stores, including cash money. According to SSP Kumar, the two were involved in several ULFA (I) attacks in the region, including an attack on a police commando post at Jagun that left four police personnel dead in March this year.
The pro-talks faction of the ULFA signed a tripartite peace pact with the Union and state governments on December 29, 2023. However, the ULFA-I faction led by Paresh Baruah, operating from Myanmar, continues to resist talks without discussions on sovereignty for Assam.
