Assam Rifles seize foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 11.25 crore; nab Myanmar militant in Mizoram

Aizawl, June 13 (IANS) The Assam Rifles, in separate joint operations with other law enforcement agencies in Mizoram, have seized foreign‑origin cigarettes worth over Rs 11.25 crore, recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and apprehended a suspected smuggler and a Myanmar‑based militant, officials said on Saturday.

A defence spokesman said that, acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding the storage of smuggled foreign‑origin cigarettes at Zemabawk North in Aizawl district, Assam Rifles personnel launched a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

According to the inputs, the contraband consignment, suspected to have been smuggled through Champhai district along the India‑Myanmar border, was being stored in a rented accommodation at Zemabawk North.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the joint team cordoned off the area and carried out a detailed search operation. During the search, a locked room was identified and thoroughly examined, leading to the recovery of a huge quantity of illegally imported cigarettes.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 467 cartons and two loose cartons of foreign‑origin cigarettes comprising seven varieties of tobacco products. The total recovery amounted to 46,88,400 cigarette sticks with an estimated market value of Rs 11,25,21,600.

One individual, suspected of being involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, was apprehended during the operation. The apprehended person, along with the recovered contraband, was handed over to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence for further investigation and legal proceedings.

In another operation conducted jointly by Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police in the Seling area of Aizawl district, security personnel recovered a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED). During the operation, the joint team apprehended an individual identified as Yening Ku, a Myanmar‑based militant, who was allegedly attempting to transport the explosive device illegally.

Further searches led to the recovery of an antenna component and several items of underground militant uniform from his possession. The apprehended militant, along with the recovered IED, antenna and uniform articles, was handed over to Aizawl Police Station for further investigation and necessary legal action.

An official statement said that the successful operations highlight the operational effectiveness, vigilance and intelligence‑driven approach of Assam Rifles in combating smuggling, illegal trafficking and activities that threaten security along the India‑Myanmar border.

The statement added that the paramilitary force remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in Mizoram and other border areas of the Northeast.

Myanmar’s Chin State has long been regarded as a major transit route for the smuggling of narcotics, exotic wildlife species, explosives and other contraband into India through Mizoram’s six border‑linked districts, Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual and Serchhip.

–IANS

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