
Little-known Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahideen (ISF-IM) claimed responsibility for the serial blasts that killed 77 people in Assam and warned of more such attacks.
In an SMS message sent to local 'News Live' television channel, the ISF-IM claimed responsibility for Thursday’s blasts and threatened to carry out more bomb explosions in several parts of the country.
The message said, "we thank all our holy members and partners" for successfully carrying out the task. The SMS was received on the mobile of the channel's input desk from the number 0-98646-93690.
The mobile phone was subsequently switched off and security forces traced it to Moirabari in Central Assam's Nagaon district registered in the name of one Nazir Ahmed.
Police officials are investigating the matter. The outfit was formed in 2000 in Lower Assam's Bodo-dominated areas "to counter" the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and NDFB militants, police sources said. The full text of the SMS is:
"We, ISF-IM, take the responsibility of yesterday blast. We warn all of Assam and India for situation like this in future. We thank all our holy members and partners.”
Death toll touches 77
The toll in the serial blasts in Assam rose to 77 on Friday with 11 more people succumbing to their injuries overnight.
Principal Secretary (Home) and official spokesman Subhas Das said eight people died in Guwahati, which now alone accounts for 41 deaths.
Three others succumbed to their injuries in Barpeta taking the toll there to 15.
The number of deaths in Kokrajhar remained at 21, he said.
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