Guwahati: An unprecedented security blanket has been thrown on Assam in view of threats of militant attacks on Republic Day on January 26 and the proscribed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) fanning out to strike vital installations and soft targets.

The Unified Command structure had formulated an action plan with new strategies to check any sabotage attempts by ultras during the Republic Day celebrations with aerial surveys made by helicopters over vital installations and river patrolling intensified.

Security forces had also been deployed along roads, bridges and railways to prevent any untoward incidents, official sources said.

The Army and para military forces had also fanned out to villages bordering Bhutan, to keep vigil on movement of ultras from that country in view of intelligence reports that about 100 ULFA militants equipped with sophisticated weapons were attempting to enter the state from their camps there.

To prevent the subversive activities, which the "frustrated insurgents" indulge in prior to the Republic and Independence Days to draw attention to their causes, sources said, all the police stations and posts had been alerted to remain vigil against such terror tactics.

Trains and railway tracks, which were targets of the extremists, were being particularly guarded against possible attacks, sources added.

Meanwhile, the North East Frontier Railway had suspended the night running of trains to upcountry in the Guwahati – Srirampur section in view of the security scenario.

Several trains had been either cancelled or rescheduled in the section up to January 27.

PTI