Govt plans major offensive in Assam

GUWAHATI: India on Tuesday announced a major counter-insurgency offensive in Assam, two days after twin blasts killed 14 and wounded some 40. 

Home Secretary VK Duggal said the fresh offensive against rebels will ensure "no civilian lives are lost." 

"You will see the visible changes yourself. Just wait and watch the results," Duggal told reporters.

Sunday's blasts occurred at an upscale shopping center and near an oil facility in Guwahati. Some 40 people, mostly shoppers and vendors, were wounded, 15 of them critically.   

Police in Assam have blamed the blasts on the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam. The group has not claimed responsibility for the attacks. 

Duggal said he had met senior Army, paramilitary and intelligence officials in Assam and evolved a "time bound" security plan to "ensure the safety and security of people and economic installations."  

"New Delhi will address all the constraints faced by security personnel and the local government in tackling insurgency in the state,” he said.