Police detain suspects after India blasts

INDIA: Indian police interrogated about a dozen people Friday over suspected links to serial bombings in the state of Assam that claimed 76 lives and left hundreds injured.

A total of 12 explosions all within the space of an hour shook the insurgency-hit northeastern state on Thursday, six of them ripping through crowded areas in the main city of Guwahati.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attacks, but speculation has focused on the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which has been fighting for an independent homeland since 1979.

The ULFA issued a written statement formally denying any involvement.

Police said they were also investigating the possible role of Islamist fundamentalist groups active in Assam such as the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami.

A senior police official said Friday that detectives were making headway in their investigation.

GUWAHATI, Friday, AFP