Jorhat, June 14: A 4kg IED was recovered from the Teok Habigaon area under Charaideo sub-division in Sivasagar district early this morning.

Based on specific information, personnel of the army’s 299 field regiment based at Maibella, recovered the bomb, which was hidden in the compound of Tankeswar Kurmi.

The bomb was later defused.

Army sources said there was information about the movement of a group of Ulfa militants in the area since the last few days.

“There was probably more arms and ammunition in the particular area but it was taken away by the group just before our men arrived there,” an official involved in the operation said over phone.

Police sources said the anti-talks faction of Ulfa has been trying to carry out subversive activities to make its presence felt and to ensure that the businessmen who have been served with extortion notices pay up.

The outfit has not been successful because of operations by security forces and because of its depleted strength.

“The outfit has been serving extortion notices to oil companies, several businessmen and tea garden owners in Upper Assam. A few blasts would create fear among the public and ensure that the persons who have been served with extortion notices pay up,” a police official involved in counter-insurgency operations said. He said the persons who have been served extortion notices by Ulfa recently have approached the security forces unlike earlier days.

“This has become the biggest setback for the outfit,” the official said.

A few months ago, an oil exploration company operating in Tinsukia district was served an extortion note demanding several lakhs of rupees.

The company approached the police.

However, although the police assured the workers of full security, the company decided to close down its operations in Tinsukia district.

“The company immediately approached us when it was served with the notice. Had it been during Ulfa’s heyday, the company would not have approached us. It was unfortunate that the company decided to close down its operations. But it has promised to return very soon,” the police official said.