Multiple Explosions Rock Assam as India Celebrates Republic Day

Two explosions took place in Assam’s Dibrugarh district, while one hit Duliajan and another, Charaideo.

At least two explosions took place in Assam’s Dibrugarh on Sunday, 26 January — one near a gurdwara and one at a shop near NH-37 at Graham Bazaar.

(Photo: ANI)

Multiple grenade explosions rocked Assam on Sunday, 26 January, as celebrations for India’s 71st Republic Day kicked off across the country. One took place near a gurdwara in Dibrugarh district and one at a shop near NH-37 at Graham Bazaar, also in Dibrugarh, ANI reported.

Another explosion took place in the oil town of Duliajan, whose details are still awaited, PTI reported quoting police, while one more hit Teok Ghat under Sonari police station of Charaideo district.

All four blasts occurred in a span of 10 minutes – between 8.15 and 8.25 am – a police officer said, according to PTI. There has been no report of any casualty, as Republic Day being a holiday, people were mostly indoors, he said.

The first blast was reported outside a shop at Teokghat in Sonari police station area of Charaideo district. The three other explosions followed soon after, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Padmanabh Barua told PTI.

CCTV footages available at Duliajan Tiniali showed two motorcycle-borne youths throwing a grenade and speeding away, the ASP explained. He added that the blasts at Graham Bazar and AT Road were carried out with time-induced Improvised Explosive Devices.

Senior police officers have rushed to the site of the explosions and a probe has been initiated, Barua added.

Speaking about the explosion at Graham Bazaar, Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant told ANI that they had received information and an investigation had begun to discern who was involved.

Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the blasts and vowed to take strong action against the culprits.

According to Hindustan Times, United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) is suspected to be behind the blasts.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI and Hindustan Times.)