Assam (Insurgency North East): Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2005

Renowned Assamese writer, Mamoni Raisom Goswami, is reported to have met imprisoned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders, ‘vice-chairman’ Pradip Gogoi, ‘publicity secretary’ Mithinga Daimary and ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, at the Guwahati central jail on January 1 and discussed ways and means of taking the proposed peace talks forward. Read less...

Four youths, identified as Denin Burman, Sanjoy Batary, Karmajoy Hojai and Paresh Baishya, suspected to be cadres of the Dima Halim Daogah (DHD) were arrested while extorting money from Kalain in the Cachar district of Assam on January 2. A day earlier, the Cachar Police had arrested a suspected DHD cadre, identified as Aayan Barman, from an unspecified place in the district. Read less...

The ‘general secretary’ of the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), H.S. Timung, has reportedly resigned from his post and the primary membership of the outfit on January 2, following serious differences of opinion with the outfit’s ‘Commander-in-Chief’, W Timung. Read less...

On January 3, the police recovered an improvised explosive device weighing about 500 gm, planted on top of an electric transformer from the Beharbari area of capital Guwahati. Read less...

According to Telegraph, former ‘general secretary’ of the Karbi Longri North Cachar Liberation Front (KLNCLF), Horsing Timung, who resigned from the outfit on January 2 following difference of opinion with the outfit’s ‘Commander-in-Chief’, W Timung, claimed from an unspecified location in Assam on January 5, to continue an armed struggle for a separate Karbi homeland. Unspecified sources stated that he is likely to float a new outfit. Read less...

On January 5, security forces’ arrested two ULFA terrorists, identified as Boghai Das and Dadu Hazarika, from Jajori in the Nagaon district. According to police sources, they were directly involved in the bomb blasts in the Morigaon and Nagaon districts on December 14, 2004. Read less...

The Sentinel, quoting unspecified intelligence sources in Guwahati, stated that the security forces in Assam were increasingly worried over the latest decision by the United liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to strengthen its ties with several Islamist militant organizations who were already active in Bangladesh, and making their presence felt occasionally in the northeast region. The sources added that these outfits were becoming a major partner of the ULFA, and were also the sole suppliers of arms and ammunition, besides acting as couriers. Read less...

According to Telegraph, the Assam Police arrested four United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and three United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) cadres from an unspecified place in Assam. Read less...

A day earlier, police in the Nagaon district recovered 2.5 kilograms of RDX and some documents from a private school employee. Read less...

A day earlier, the Hoiborgaon police arrested a hardcore ULFA terrorist, identified as Jitu Medhi alias Prasanta Gogoi, near the Christjyoti School in Nagaon town. A Chinese-made pistol and a grenade were recovered from his possession. According to the police, he is a member of the ‘action group’ of the ULFA. Read less...

The Jorhat police are reported to have arrested a hardcore United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorist, identified as Khagen Kalita, from an unspecified place in Assam on January 7. Two rocket launchers were seized from his possession. Read less...

On January 8, a surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadre, identified as Ashok Das, was killed by suspected ULFA terrorists in the Barama town of Nalbari district in Assam. Read less...

According to Sentinel, W Timung, the ‘commander-in-chief’ of the Karbi Anglong North Cachar Hills Peoples’ Resistance (KNPR), armed wing of the Karbi Anglong North Cachar Liberation Front (KLNLF), informed that ‘chairman’ Pradip Terang and ‘general secretary’ H S Timung have been released from the organisation for their "half-hearted stand in the fight against colonialism, expansionism and dominion policy of India". Read less...

The Telegraph, quoting official sources, stated that the Government of Assam has once again sent its emissary to the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) ‘chairman’ Ranjan Daimary, who is allegedly taking shelter in Bangladesh, for a list of the rebel group’s leaders who are expected to participate for the proposed peace talks with the Union Government. Read less...

Two Bangladesh-trained United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres, identified as Narad Rabha alias Hofimane and Dipak Rabha, surrendered before the police at Goalpara recently. They also reportedly deposited a revolver, some fire arms, three Chinese made grenades, one pistol and a wireless set. Read less...

At least 14 civilians, including a nine-year-old girl and four women, were wounded when suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorists triggered an explosion at the Marwaripatty area of Jorhat town on January 11. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists shot dead a trader, identified as Satyadev Sahani, at Bura Burigaon under Sadiya police station limits in the Tinsukia district of Assam on January 12. Read less...

Speaking to the media in Mumbai on January 13, the Union Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal, said the Union Government possessed information that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s external intelligence agency, was directly or indirectly supporting left wing extremists (also known as Naxalites) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in terrorist activities in India. Also, the Naxalite activities are being encouraged from other neighbouring countries, the Minister said adding "the issue has been discussed with Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and they have assured of initiating steps but the Indian government is not satisfied with the assurance from Bangladesh on the subject." He, however, said that the Naxalite problem cannot be tackled independently either through force or development. Both the aspects should be undertaken simultaneously, Jaiswal added. Read less...

Suspected Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNCLF) cadres shot dead a 60-year-old woman, identified as Sgarjan, at Diphu town in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on January 13. According to unspecified sources, she was suspected to be a drug trafficker. Read less...

The ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah is reported to be recovering from his recent illness. Informing this to the media, Assamese writer, Indira Goswami, said Baruah had a half-an-hour telephonic discussion with her on January 13. Read less...

Five ULFA terrorists surrendered before the police authorities in Sibsagar recently. According to reports all the surrendered cadres had fled the outfit’s camps in Myanmar. Read less...

On January 15, a United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorist, Ajit Deka was killed in an encounter at Gandhibari village under Tamulpur Police Station in Nalbari district. Read less...

The United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) is scheduled to hold negotiations with the Union Government on January 19 in New Delhi. A statement by the outfit’s spokesman said that "hemprek kanthim (self-rule) and a special economic package for the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills would be the focus of the discussions." Read less...

Self-styled ‘area commander’ B. Binaisa of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in a letter to the Sentinel on January 17 issued a warning to the State Government that it would be compelled to take retaliatory measures if the Government and the security forces do not stop operations against its cadres. Read less...

The Nalbari police on January 17 recovered two universal machine guns and two drum magazines from Burhinagar in Nalbari district. Read less...

The State police administration has sounded maximum alert in all the districts of Assam keeping in view the forthcoming Republic Day celebration and the terrorist threat. Read less...

On January 18, the Diphu police recovered three grenades from Diphu town in the Karbi Aanglong district. Read less...

Security force personnel arrested two United Democratic People’s Solidarity (UPDS) cadres belonging to its anti-talks faction from Heidipi under Bokajan police station limits in the Karbi Anglong district recently. Two SBBL guns, two AK-47 live rounds, two 7.65 mm live rounds and two fired SBBL cartridges, along with incriminating documents were recovered from the duo. Read less...

Suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorists shot at and injured a surrendered ULFA (SULFA) man identified as Prahlad Rajbangshi at Nalbari town on January 18. Read less...

Talking to newsmen in Guwahati on January 18, the Union Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal said the Central government has doubts over the National Democratic Front of Bodoland’s (NDFB) sincerity and commitment to the peace process. Read less...

The Himalayan Times quoting the Indian Central Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said, "we have got some very disturbing reports about Maoist insurgents trying to establish links with militant groups from Assam and then penetrate the region in India to establish bases and create terror." Further, Sriprakash Jaiswal, quoting intelligence reports, said some Maoist leaders were in touch with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), and claimed India has decided to double the strength of border guards and increase the number of check-posts to prevent infiltration of insurgents from Nepal. Read less...

According to media reports, the third round of tripartite talks held on January 19 between a five-member delegation of the United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), the officials of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Assam Government in New Delhi remained inconclusive, in the wake of Assam Government seeking three months’ time to table the report of the State Cabinet Sub-Committee. According to reports, the UPDS had refused to discuss any issue barring their political demand in the meeting. Read less...

On the same day, suspected ULFA terrorists blew off a portion of an oil pipeline at Geleki near Nazira in Sibsagar district. In another incident, suspected ULFA terrorists lobbed a grenade at the Jonai police station. However, there were no reports of any casualties in both the incidents. Separately, suspected ULFA terrorists triggered an explosion at the Mangaldai police station injuring a policeman besides causing some damages to the office. Read less...

One person was killed and six others were seriously wounded in a bomb blast triggered by suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorists at Boxirhat under Golokganj police station in Dhubri district on January 19. Read less...

Security forces arrested a ULFA terrorist, Debicharan Das, from an unspecified place in Nagaon district on January 19. Two rifles and 30 detonator sticks were recovered from him. Read less...

The third round of talks between the Centre and the UPDS is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 19. Read less...

According to media reports, the Dima Halim Daoga (DHD), during its negotiations with the representatives of the Union Government on January 20 said that no solution short of a separate ‘Dimaraji’ State would be acceptable to the outfit. Read less...

Suspected terrorists of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) detonated explosives targeting a power transmission tower located at Cinnamara Toklai tea estate on January 20. Even though there was no report of any casualty, power supply was disrupted as the tower collapsed due to the explosion. Read less...

Suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorists triggered an explosion targeting a gas pipeline at Sarupathar Bengaligaon under Chabua police station limits in the Dibrugarh district of Assam on January 20. There was, however, no major damage to the pipeline. Read less...

The first round of tripartite talks between the Centre, the Assam government and the Dima Halim Daogah (DHD) is scheduled to held in New Delhi on January 20. Read less...

The ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’, Paresh Baruah, reportedly called up newspaper offices in Guwahati on January 20 to claim responsibility for the serial blasts in different parts of Assam on January 19, which left a person dead and six others injured. Read less...

On January 22, four explosives planted at the base of an electric power transmission tower, were recovered and defused by army personnel after being alerted by a village defence party (VDP) at Ultapul under Sahab Police station limits in Dibrugarh distict. Read less...

Police in Sibsagar district recovered an explosive planted under a transformer at Dimow. Read less...

The Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, speaking to the press on January 22 expressed his opposition to the recent resolution adopted at a meet convened by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on integration of Naga inhabited areas. He said, "We won’t concede an inch of the State’s territory to any of the neighbouring States." Read less...

Amidst reports that 300 United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres are taking shelter in the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, before entering Assam, security across the State has been beefed up in view of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Reports further said that the 28th ‘battalion’ of the ULFA has been asked by the leadership to target the security outposts located in the remote areas of Assam and important installations in the run-up to January 26. Read less...

Earlier, on January 23, troops arrested a ULFA cadre, Haren Gogoi, from Garigaon in the Golaghat district. A rifle and some documents were recovered from his possession. Read less...

The ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’, Paresh Baruah, has called upon the Assamese not to attend the Republic Day celebrations and avoid boarding Government vehicles from the midnight of January 25 till the evening of January 26. In a statement, he claimed "the ULFA would not be responsible if any unfortunate incident takes place." Read less...

A suspected terrorist belonging to an unnamed Tripura-based outfit was arrested during an encounter with the police at Lothabari in Assam. One pistol was recovered from his possession. Separately, the Army recovered three universal machine guns from an unspecified place in the Dhubri district. Read less...

Previously, on January 24, an exchange of fire between ULFA cadres and security forces was reported at an unspecified village under the Chagolia police outpost in Dhubri district. No casualty has been, however, reported. Read less...

Suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorists triggered a grenade blast at Ganesguri in the capital Guwahati on January 24 injuring seven persons. Read less...

In another incident on the same day, the Guwahati City Police recovered and later defused a powerful bomb, weighing about 5 kilograms, from the Bamunimaidam area. Read less...

On the same day, two All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) terrorists were arrested in Morigaon. According to reports, the cadres had entered Assam to carry out subversive activities on the eve of the Republic Day. A pistol and two rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the cadres. Read less...

The Sentinel has reported that the Assam Police arrested a surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadre, Manjit Talukdar alias Kajal Das, from an unspecified place on January 25 in connection with the grenade attack at Ganeshguri in the capital Guwahati on January 24 in which seven people were wounded. Read less...

ULFA cadres, on January 25, lobbed a grenade at the headquarters of the North East Frontier Railway in Maligaon locality of Guwahati city. However, there was no casualty as the grenade fell in a drain. Read less...

An unidentified terrorist was reportedly killed during an encounter with the Army at Amguri in the Goalpara district of Assam on January 26. Read less...

On January 26 today, ten police personnel were injured as suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres detonated two explosions at the Judges Field, the venue of the Republic Day celebrations in Guwahati. Read less...

On January 26, two civilians were reportedly killed and twelve others sustained injuries as army personnel opened fire on a mob after being attacked by the latter who mistook them for dacoits near Sialmari village in the Nalbari district of Assam. According to army sources, the personnel were on the look out for United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terrorists when they came under attack. Read less...

On the same day, suspected ULFA terrorists triggered an explosion in the Noonmati area of Guwahati city injuring two persons. They also detonated another bomb in the Bongaigaon town. However, there were no casualties in the latter incident. Read less...

Suspected ULFA terrorists triggered an explosion in the Noonmati area of Guwahati city injuring two persons. They also detonated another bomb in the Bongaigaon town. However, there were no casualties in the latter incident. Read less...

Two persons were wounded during the twin bomb explosions at the Republic Day parade ground in Guwahati. Earlier reports had put the figure at ten. Assam Police sources said that timer devices were used to detonate these bombs. The Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stated that "the ULFA carried out the attacks to satisfy foreign forces." Read less...

On January 27, a National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) cadre, identified as Somil Hajowari alias Ladai, surrendered before the Army along with one 9mm pistol and four rounds of live ammunition at Gossaigaon. Read less...

Sentinel has reported that the Army arrested one person from Garugaon in the Nagaon district recently on charge of supplying arms and ammunition to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). A Chinese made pistol and some cartridges were recovered from his possession. Read less...

The police arrested one person, identified as Dhaneswar Rongpi, along with three live cartridges and one airgun from Diphu in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on January 29. Read less...

Troops of the Red Horns Division arrested a NDFB cadre, identified as Mohan Basumatary, from Saraibil in the Kokrajhar district on January 30. Read less...

34 terrorists of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and 23 National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) cadres are reported to have surrendered before the army authorities at Rangiya in Assam on January 31. Led by the ULFA ‘Lieutenant Colonel’, Sachinand Tara, they also deposited four AK rifles, seven PT 303 rifles, ten pistols, ten revolvers, one bolt action rifle, nine SBBLs, two DBBLs and three UMGs. Read less...

On January 31, the Assam Police recovered a huge quantity of explosive material from the Borbori area of capital Guwahati. Read less...