Two Myanmar nationals held with automatic rifles in Mizoram

Aizawl: Acting on a tip-off, troopers of Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police on Wednesday recovered automatic rifles of Myanmar origin and live ammunition during a joint operation near Sekul river between Zochachhuah and Vareng villages in Mizoram’s southernmost Lawngtlai district near the Myanmar border, Assam Rifles said in a statement.

Two Myanmar nationals have been apprehended for possessing the weapon and ammunition, the statement said.

The operation was carried out by Assam Rifles personnel of Lunglei battalion posted at Zorinpui in Mizoram’s southern tip and the state police from Bungtlang outpost, it said.

The operation team had received specific information on the exchange of weapons near Laitlang on the Indo-Myanmar border, it said.

The team laid an ambush along the Sekul river and intercepted a boat and carried out a detailed search during which automatic rifles of Myanmar origin, a magazine and 26 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the possession of the two accused, the statement said.

The successful operation would go a long way in establishing peace and harmony along the India-Myanmar border, the statement added.

Foreign cigarettes worth Rs 19.50 lakh seized

In yet another successful raid, Assam Rifles and customs department seized 15 cases of foreign cigarettes worth Rs 19.50 lakh during a raid in Champhai town close to the Myanmar border on Wednesday, Assam Rifles said in a statement.

The operation was carried out based on specific information, it said.

Also read: Over 1,800 Myanmar nationals have arrived recently: Mizoram Minister