Bomb explodes in Assam Assembly

An Indian bomb disposal expert (C) is watched by a large crowd as he reaches towards an unclaimed briefcase in the Maligoan District of Guwahati yesterday. The briefcase was later diffused. In an earlier incident a bomb exploded in the Assamese state capital without causing any casualties. PHOTO: AFP

The bomb, placed on the ground floor of the building, exploded before dawn damaging window panes, files and offices of some ministers.

There was no casualty or injuries as there was nobody in the building barring the security personnel.

The entire secretariat area was cordoned off and senior police and civil officials have rushed to the area.

Meanwhile, a powerful bomb planted by suspected Ulfa militants, was recovered by police during routine patrolling from Maligaon Chariali area in the city.

The bomb was later defused by Army bomb disposal squad, the sources added.

Earlier at least six separatist guerrillas and a soldier have been killed in gunbattles in India's troubled northeast, officials said yesterday.

An army commander said four suspected militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) were killed Sunday in the state's Nalbari district, 70km west of the main city of Guwahati.

"Fierce fighting broke out and in the ensuing encounter we shot dead four rebels," army commander Sujan Chatterjee said.

"We also lost one of our soldiers, while two more received serious injuries in the attack."

Soldiers later seized a stockpile of arms and ammunition, including several automatic rifles and pistols, hand grenades and explosives and detonators from the dead rebels, the commander said.