Hardcore ULFA militant arrested in Jalandhar

JALANDHAR: A hardcore ULFA militant, wanted in connection with blasts and extortion cases in Assam, was arrested here on Monday.

On a tip off by military intelligence, police in a joint operation with internal security group of Western Command apprehended Hemanta Roy and his harbourer Jagdish Das from Damoria bridge.

Roy is a notorious ULFA militant of 709 battalion and was known to be involved in a number of cases of extortion and blast in Assam, Senior Superintendent of Police Arpit Shukla said adding Roy was a close relative of Hira Sarania, a self styled lieutenant of ULFA and commander of 709 battalion.

Roy, who belong to Shingra Para village of Assam's Baksha district, fled to Delhi after frequent raids at his residence. After staying in the captial for a few months, he came to Punjab, Shukla said.

For the last three months he was staying in the city and was working as waiter in a reputed hotel along with his associate.

A case has been registered against them. Defence maps and documents were recovered from their possession.

Assam police has been informed and detailed background about the arrested persons was being sought, he said while not ruling out the link of the accused with Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI.

Asked whether the arrested persons were planning to create disturbance during Independence Day, SSP did not rule the same and said exact motive of their coming to Jalandhar would be known only after their detailed interrogation.