IED recovered in Assam

The police said villagers at Bapukhuri noticed a packet near a drain around noon and informed the authorities.

Army and police personnel reached the spot, along with the bomb disposal squad.

The IED was defused.

Police officials said they suspect anti-talk faction of the ULFA had planted the IED.

Security forces are conducting combing operations in the area in search of militants.

The Assam police has already sounded a "red alert" across the state in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations.