GUWAHATI, May 12 (Agencies): An Assam Gas Company pipeline in Sivasagar was burst into flames in an ULFA-triggered explosion even as another major tragedy was averted when a powerful IED was defused here, police today said.
The banned group triggered the blast last night on a 16-inch, one-metre deep, underground pipeline causing major damage to the line at Borhat in Sivasagar district from Duliajan via Makum to Jorhat and Golaghat, where tea gardens and domestic homes are consumers.
Though no one was injured as the explosion occurred in a deserted area, it caused the pipeline to burst into flames around 11.30 pm burning tea leaves of the gardens nearby and leaving a three-metre deep and two-metre wide crater.
At least 10 fire tenders were pressed into service, officials said adding the loss was yet to be ascertained.
In Guwahati, an IED planted by the ULFA was detected by alert public in the Bharalumukh area last night.
A box with a green beeping light was found on the footpath of a road along Bharalu river near railway gate number nine around 7.45 p.M.
A bomb disposal squad safely defused the IED around 9 p.M., police said.
Inside the plastic box were six kg TNT explosives, an electronic detonator, a remote service circuit, a 9-volt battery and several iron balls mixed with wax, police said.
