Security forces in Assam have recovered RDX from ULFA militants during two separate operations, prompting concern that the deadly explosive is becoming a common element in militant attacks in the state. 

Acting on a tip-off, the police apprehended three ULFA cadres, including a woman, and recovered nine kilograms of RDX from them, while the trio was on its way to Tezpur, the headquarter of the Army 4 Corps, on November 7.

HuJI helped ULFA carry out Assam blasts'

According to sources, the ULFA ultras had procured the explosives through the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front, which is based in the Karbi Anglong hill district. The district is used as a transit route by militants seeking refuge in Bangladesh.

Though ULFA militants have used RDX in small quantities in the past, KLNLF has not been known to possess expertise in handling the explosive.

In another operation on November 7, an Army patrol party detected a bomb packed with RDX and allegedly planted by ULFA militants, under a concrete bridge on the Sonari-Sapekhati Road in Sivasagar district. The area is close to the Assam-Nagaland border and is known to be infested with ULFA militants.

Eveyone is clueless on Assam

Earlier, the security forces had arrested a ULFA cadre identified as Parikshit Gogoi, and recovered 1.2 kilogram of RDX explosives from him. He was arrested in Sivasagar district, which has vital installations of the oil industry.

Security sources informed that it would be impossible for a banned outfit like the ULFA to procure RDX explosives within the country. The outfit would need help from groups based in foreign countries to procure such explosives.

More than 50 killed in Assam blasts

The trouble-torn state has witnessed 605 blasts since 2001, which have claimed 1,517 lives, as per government records. The security forces have recovered or defused as many as 5,000 bombs and grenades across the state during this period. As per official figures, there were 173 blasts in the state between 1996 and 2001.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said that the frequent use of bombs by militants proved that they were being forced to resort to dastardly terror tactics to make their presence felt.