Indian police say at least five people were injured in an explosion at the entrance of a state-owned oil refinery in northeastern Assam state. Authorities suspect Friday's blast was carried out by rebels from the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom, a tribal separatist group.
A police spokesman says at least three paramilitary police and one civilian were among the injured. The United Liberation Front of Asom is the largest of Assam state's insurgency groups whose demands range from secession to greater autonomy. The attack came less than a week before India's Republic Day, which marks the adoption of the country's constitution on January 26th, 1950, three years after gaining independence from Britain. Security is normally tightened across India to guard against terrorist attacks on Republic Day.