Daijiworld Media Network - Aizwal

Aizwal, Oct 25: A substantial haul of arms and ammunition was recovered by the Assam Rifles in Mizoram, officials reported on Saturday. Acting on specific intelligence, troops carried out a coordinated search operation on Friday in the Saikhumpai area of Champhai District, known for smuggling activities along the India–Myanmar border.

The surprise operation, conducted in dense forested terrain, uncovered a concealed cache that included six 60mm mortar tubes with base plates, two 7.62mm Myanmar-made assault rifles, three shotguns, two .22 rifles, and one hand grenade. Troops also recovered 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 15 mortar rounds, two anti-personnel mines, and two radio sets with antennas and a charger.

Following the recovery, Assam Rifles conducted area domination operations to check for any underground cadre activity, but no such presence was detected. The seized weapons and ammunition were secured on-site and later handed over to the Mizoram Police for further investigation and legal action.

The Assam Rifles, responsible for guarding the 1,643-km India–Myanmar border across Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland, highlighted their continued efforts to disrupt illegal arms networks and maintain security in border regions. The Mizoram districts bordering Myanmar—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip—share a 510 km frontier with Chin State, a notorious hub for smuggling drugs, arms, wildlife, and other contraband.