Mizoram: The Police in Mizoram on Thursday claimed to have seized a large cache of arms and ammunition while these are being supplied to an insurgent outfit based in Myanmar to the rebel group in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.
Officials sources said that a huge cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition was recovered by Mizoram Police and sister intelligence agencies from the Saithah village in bordering Mamit District on Wednesday night.
He also said that the confiscated arms and ammunition were intended for trade between the Chin National Front (CNF) from Myanmar, a prominent rebel organisation and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-P).
“This operation highlights the transnational character of illegal arms dealings and emphasises the ongoing threats to regional stability. With this catch, a serious threat to regional peace and stability has been neutralised,” he pointed out.
The official said that five accused have been also arrested. Among those detained is a top leader of the CNF, an insurgent group based in Myanmar. The arrest of such a high-profile individual is a significant achievement in counter-insurgency operations in Mizoram, the official said.
He said that this operation is one of the largest arms recoveries in Mizoram, delivering a stern warning to illegal operators in the region. The arms and ammunition seized include six AK-47 rifles, 10,050 cartridges of AK-47 rifles and 13 Magazines.
Mizoram Police has registered a case at West Phaileng Police Station in Mamit District. Further investigation to dismantle the arms smuggling network is underway.