Security forces in the North-east are on alert after the ULFA threatened to launch attacks targeting the forces and their installations.
“Our bases have perimeter walls and tiered-security layers to thwart any possible attack,” Eastern Air Command Air Marshal K.K. Nohwar said.
Stating that ‘base defence’ was among his top priorities, Nohwar said, “the region lies close to the foothills of the Himalayas and base defence is of utmost significance in the region which has a peculiar terrain.”
“All our commanders have been briefed to remain professional and retain the combat edge. They have to be operationally ready at all times,” the EAC chief said, adding the command will induct more assets into this area to warn of approaching threats.
There are five key air bases in Assam - Tezpur, Chabua, Jorhat, Mohanbari and Guwahati.
The ULFA had threatened to strike central forces, including BSF, Assam Rifles, ITBP, CRPF, CISF, SSB and the Border Roads Organisation. It is believed that the threats were in retaliation to the arrest of several close aides of ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Barua.
A spokesman at the BSF Assam-Meghalaya headquarters said the force was on alert to thwart any attack by militants on its installations and units. Assam Rifles and CRPF were also on alert.
