NIA Charges ULFA (I) Chief Paresh Baruah in Assam Independence Day Attack Plot
Guwahati, June 14, 2025: In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of last year’s Independence Day IED blast plot in Assam, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against ULFA (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and two others. The trio has been accused of planning and executing a terror conspiracy aimed at disrupting national celebrations and striking fear in the northeastern state.
3 Chargesheets by NIA in ULFA (I) Assam IED Blast Conspiracy Case of I-Day 2024 pic.twitter.com/ci1bbBNoZj
— NIA India (@NIA_India) June 14, 2025
The NIA, in its statement on Saturday, confirmed that Baruah—also known as Paresh Asom—along with operatives Abhijit Gogoi and Jahnu Boruah, has been formally charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Explosive Substances Act.
ULFA (I) Plotted Multiple IED Attacks in Assam
According to the chargesheet, the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) orchestrated the planting of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Dispur Last Gate in Guwahati, a strategic location close to government offices. These IEDs were part of a larger, coordinated attempt to carry out blasts across Assam on August 15, 2024—India’s Independence Day.
“The accused hatched a conspiracy to cause death, destruction, and widespread panic to undermine India’s unity and sovereignty,” said the NIA in its official statement.
Paresh Baruah: The Fugitive Commander
Paresh Baruah, one of India’s most wanted insurgents, operates out of Myanmar, from where he is believed to lead the ULFA (I). The agency stated that Baruah goes by several aliases, including Kamruj Zaman Khan, Nur-uz-Zaman, Zaman Bhai, Paban Baruah, and Pradip, all of which have appeared in various intelligence dossiers over the years.
Despite being outside Indian jurisdiction, Baruah has continued to maintain ideological control over ULFA (I) operations. His name appears prominently as the mastermind behind this high-stakes terror plot targeting civilians and state institutions.
Co-Accused Identified as Trained Operatives
The two other accused—Abhijit Gogoi alias Abhijeet Gogoi and Jahnu Boruah alias Arnob Asom alias Huntu—are suspected to have directly participated in the IED planting and logistical support for the attempted blasts. The NIA has connected both individuals to training camps believed to be located along the India-Myanmar border and confirmed their affiliation with ULFA (I).
Investigators believe that Gogoi and Boruah worked under the command of Paresh Baruah and were tasked with planting and detonating the IEDs at designated urban locations to maximize casualties and media impact.
NIA Investigation and Current Status
The NIA officially took over the investigation in September 2024, following initial probes by Assam Police. The central agency pursued forensic leads, intelligence intercepts, and technical surveillance, ultimately culminating in the chargesheet submitted in a Guwahati court on Friday.
“These explosives were not just meant to damage property—they were part of a broader attempt to instill terror and disrupt peace in Assam,” said a senior NIA official.
While the two operatives are reportedly in custody, Baruah remains at large, and diplomatic efforts continue to locate and extradite him from Myanmar.
The NIA confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with additional suspects possibly being identified as further leads develop.
Implications for Security in the Northeast
The fresh revelations about ULFA (I)’s sustained capabilities to plan cross-border terror activities have raised serious concerns about national security, especially in sensitive border states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
Security analysts warn that despite setbacks, ULFA (I) remains a threat due to ideological motivations and foreign sanctuary. The outfit continues to recruit and train operatives while targeting government infrastructure, particularly around national holidays.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is reportedly reviewing border surveillance protocols and intelligence coordination mechanisms in light of the findings.