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Aizawl, October 25 (IANS) Assam Rifles has recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Mizoram. Officials gave this information here on Saturday.
A defense spokesperson said that based on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles on Friday launched a deliberate and well-coordinated search operation in Saikhumpai areas of border Champhai district, which is a hub of smuggling of various drugs and weapons.
The operation was conducted with complete surprise and involved continuous searches in densely forested areas. During the search, the troops discovered a hidden cache which included six 60 mm mortar tubes with base plates, two 7.62 mm Myanmar-made assault rifles, three shotguns, two Point 22 rifles and one hand grenade.
During the intensive search, the troops also recovered 45 live rounds of 7.62 mm, 15 rounds of 60 mm mortar, two anti-personnel mines and two radio sets with antennas, one charger.
After the recovery, the team took over a wide area to verify any presence of underground cadres in the surrounding area. However, no sign of underground activity was found. The recovered arms and ammunition were kept safe at the spot and later handed over to Mizoram Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.
An official statement said Assam Rifles stands firm on its commitment to dismantle illegal arms networks and ensure continued peace and security in the border areas of Mizoram.
The paramilitary force guards the 1,643-km India-Myanmar border with four northeastern states – Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. These unfenced borders serve as major illegal transit points for drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine pills, as well as various weapons entering India.
Mizoram districts bordering Myanmar are Champhai, Siaha, Longtalai, Hanathiyal, Saitual and Serchhip. These six districts share a combined 510 km border with Myanmar’s Chin State, which is a hub for smuggling of various drugs, arms and ammunition, exotic wildlife animals and many other contraband items through the northeastern states.
–IANS
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