Nalbari (PTI): Six people, including three women, were killed and over 80 injured on Sunday as a powerful bomb triggered by suspected ULFA militants ripped through a weekly market in Assam's Baksa district bordering Bhutan.

Five persons died on the spot at Kumarikata market where pigs and cows are sold, while another person succumbed to his injuries on way to Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), officials said.

The area presented a horrific sight with blood and human flesh splattered all around while pigs, cows and poultry brought for selling in the market ran amock. Officials said the bomb, which was tied to a cycle by the suspected ULFA militants, went off around 1.10 pm in the crowded market under Tamulpur police station.

A second bomb which did not explode was recovered from the place later by the police. Over 30 injured were rushed to GMCH in critical condition while the rest of them were admitted to hospitals there. Two children and 10 women were among those admitted to GMCH.

Forensic experts from Guwahati rushed to the spot to ascertain the nature of the explosive, officials said. Four of the six victims were identified as Lily Bodo (38) Sharmila Murmu (40), Bokuli Narzary (40) and Robin Suren (45).

The area, under Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD), has a strong presence of Bodo militants and ULFA's 709 battalion that has not joined the banned group's strike force 28 battalion in declaring unilateral ceasefire recently, sources said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi condemned the blast and said no problem can be solved through attacks that claim innocent lives. The militants through such bomb blasts were trying to terrorise the common people by creating a fear psychosis among them and hamper the development activities, Gogoi said in a statement.

He assured financial assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured as per government rules. IGP (Special Branch) Khagen Sarma suspected the hand of the ULFA's 709 battalion in the explosion and said the violence was an "attempt at show of strength by those opposing the ceasefire".

The lower rung cadres of the 709 battalion were being instigated by ULFA leaders opposing the truce and it would prove counter-productive to the peace process, he told reporters.