November 01, 2008	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 2, 1429

GUWAHATI, Oct 31: A little-known Muslim group claimed responsibility in a text message to a news channel on Friday for serial blasts in India’s northeast that claimed 76 lives the day before, police said.

The group, identifying itself as the “Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahideen”, warned such attacks would continue in Assam state, police said.

“The Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahideen takes the responsibility for yesterday’s blasts,” said the text message to the Newslive television network in Assam.

“We warn all of Assam and India for situations like this in the future and we thank all our holy members and partners,” added the message.

According to a police spokesman, the group is believed to have come into existence in 2000 in western Assam, where tribal Bodo militants are campaigning against Muslim settlers from nearby Bangladesh.

The group has not been active recently in Assam, where more than a dozen militant groups are campaigning for demands ranging from independence to greater autonomy.—AFP