Guwahati, Assam, August 15 (HBTV): As the entire country celebrated Independence Day on Thursday, the militant group United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) claimed to have planted bombs at 19 different locations in Assam.     

A statement that was issued at approximately 11.30 am released a list of the places that included eight in the state capital Guwahati. The banned outfit also released photographs of some the places where the bombs were reportedly planted. The outfit said the other places where the bombs were planted were in Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Rangiya and Golghat district.   

The Ulfa-I had previously issued its traditional call to boycott the Independence Day celebrations. The outfit on Thursday said the bombs were meant for explosion between 6am and 12noon. It also asked residents to be careful till the bombs had been removed and diffused for their safety.   

The police launched a search in the places mentioned by the outfit.   

The Ulfa was formed in 1979 with a demand for "sovereign Assam." One faction led by former chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa signed an agreement with the government a few months ago.   

But the faction Ulfa-I led by Paresh Baruah is yet to join the peace process.