In a significant security development, Assam's Special Director General of Police (DGP), Harmeet Singh announced the formation of Special Investigation Teams (SITs) on Sunday. These teams have been tasked with probing the discovery of several suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) across the state including in the capital, Guwahati. The investigation follows the detection of suspicious bomb-like objects on August 15, overlapping with India's Independence Day celebrations.
Discovery of Suspicious Objects
On August 15, during routine security operations across Assam, the police uncovered several suspicious items resembling IEDs in multiple locations including Guwahati. This prompted immediate action from law enforcement agencies. The Assam Police intensified their search for potential explosive devices by focusing on key areas where these dangerous objects were found.
"Some bomb-like substances were discovered," stated DGP Harmeet Singh, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The Special DGP emphasized that SITs have been promptly formed and led by senior officers including an Additional Superintendent of Police (SP), to ensure a detailed and thorough investigation. "Our priority is the safety and security of Assam’s citizens," Singh added, highlighting the police’s commitment to protecting the state from such threats. A review meeting was also conducted to strategize on the way forward. The DGP warned that anyone attempting to harm the people of Assam would face stringent consequences.
Investigation and Public Support
The newly formed SITs have been entrusted with the task of rigorously investigating the nature of the detected substances, determining their origins, and ensuring that those responsible for planting these devices are swiftly apprehended. The discovery has raised alarms across the state with the police leaving no stone unturned in their investigation.
In an effort to accelerate the investigation, the Assam Police announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for any credible information that leads to the culprits. On August 16, the police disclosed that two IED-like objects were found at separate locations in Guwahati and other parts of the state. The DGP reassured the public that the case would be resolved soon and urged citizens to come forward with any relevant information.
"We appeal to the public to support the ongoing investigation into the bomb-like devices allegedly planted by ULFA," the Assam DGP stated, referring to the banned militant outfit. The police have also provided a mobile number and WhatsApp contact for tip-offs, reinforcing their commitment to engaging the public in maintaining security.
Coordinated Efforts and Future Action
In an effort to coordinate the investigation, senior police officials, including those from the Guwahati Police Commission held a meeting to devise a comprehensive strategy. The SIT in Guwahati will be headed by the Joint Commissioner of Police and supervised by the Commissioner of Police. In addition, SITs have been set up in other districts where similar suspicious objects were found with the Additional SP (Crime) leading these teams.
DGP Harmeet Singh expressed confidence in the police’s ability to swiftly identify and bring to justice those who seek to destabilize Assam. He assured the public that law enforcement would take decisive action against anyone found responsible for the threat.
The investigation remains ongoing with Assam Police determined to ensure the safety and security of the state’s residents while bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Understanding Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are homemade bombs that can be constructed using either military or nonmilitary components. These weapons are often utilized by guerrillas, insurgents, and various nonstate actors as a simple yet effective means of combat against conventional military forces.
The Role of IEDs in Warfare
When deployed as roadside bombs, IEDs serve to obstruct communication routes, disrupt traffic flow, and inflict damage on or destroy targeted vehicles. In more strategic applications, entry points or entire buildings may be equipped with IEDs, posing a lethal threat to anyone—such as military personnel—who attempts to enter. Notably, larger vehicle-borne IEDs, commonly referred to as car or truck bombs have been responsible for devastating attacks including the infamous Beirut barracks bombings in 1983 which targeted U.S. Marines and French paratroopers. Throughout conflicts such as the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War, IEDs have emerged as the primary weapon for insurgents and their low cost, ease of use and high effectiveness suggest they will remain a preferred choice for guerrilla fighters and insurgents in the future.
Components and Construction of IEDs
At their core, IEDs are composed of several essential elements: an initiating mechanism, a detonator, an explosive charge, and a covering that may contain lethal projectiles such as ball bearings or nails which are designed to cause injury upon detonation. The construction of IEDs can vary significantly, utilising a wide range of materials and objects. These can include artillery or mortar shells, aerial bombs, certain fertilizers, TNT and other explosive substances.
To amplify their destructive and psychological impact, IEDs may also incorporate radiological, chemical or biological components. The simplest forms of IEDs, like pipe bombs—metal pipes filled with explosive material and sealed at both ends—are often used for direct attacks on personnel. However, many IEDs are more sophisticated in design.
For instance, vehicle-borne IEDs intended to demolish buildings typically contain substantial amounts of explosives to maximize their destructive potential. Those targeting vehicles can be particularly advanced, especially if the target is armoured. Some IEDs utilize shaped-charge warheads that upon detonation, generate streams of molten metal capable of penetrating armour. In Iraq, certain Shīʿite militia groups employed explosively formed projectiles (EFPs)—a highly lethal variant of shaped charges supplied by Iran—to effectively destroy even the most heavily armoured vehicles, such as M1 Abrams tanks.
IEDs represent a significant and evolving threat in modern warfare, characterized by their adaptability, low cost, and devastating effectiveness. As long as conflicts persist, these devices will likely continue to play a critical role in asymmetric warfare strategies.
Tackling the Global IED Threat: Evolving Tactics and Research
Around the world, military and law enforcement agencies are continuously refining and developing strategies known as render-safe procedures (RSPs) to effectively counter the threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). These procedures are either derived from direct encounters with such devices or from dedicated research aimed at neutralizing the risks they pose. A notable aspect of these advancements is the emergence of IED jamming systems, which can be mounted on vehicles or carried by individuals. These systems have proven effective enough to force a significant shift in IED technology. Previously, more sophisticated remote-controlled devices were prevalent but the effectiveness of jamming has led to a revival in the use of command-wire detonations. This method involves a physical connection between the explosive and its detonator, rendering it immune to jamming. However, this old-fashioned technique comes with its own set of challenges—it is harder to set up quickly and is more easily detected by countermeasures.
Countries like India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain and the United States stand at the forefront of counter-IED initiatives. Their involvement is largely driven by their direct experience in confronting IEDs, whether in the context of warfare or response to terrorist attacks. On the research and development front, there are innovative programs such as the Canadian Unmanned Systems Challenge which brings together student teams to create unmanned devices capable of both detecting IEDs and identifying the insurgents who deploy them. These efforts emphasize at the global commitment to evolving counter-IED strategies that are both adaptive and innovative.
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