National Investigation Agency (NIA) has busted a cross-border smuggling network of arms, ammunition and explosives and arrested a key accused from Mizoram, an official said on Saturday. Lalngaihawma, a resident of Mamit area of Mizoram, was nabbed from Aizwal following inputs regarding the operations of a well-organised, large-scale illegal arms and ammunition supply network operating in certain north-eastern states of the country, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.
An official said. “The accused, along with others, was engaged in trafficking of arms, ammunition and explosive materials not only in the north-eastern states but also across the border. He was working in collusion with various operatives, including insurgent groups situated across the international border,” the spokesperson said.
As part of their conspiracy, the official said they had already distributed such terror hardware to various individuals in the country and abroad. “These illicit weapons and explosives are suspected to have been used in violent terrorist acts and criminal activities across different regions,” the spokesperson said, adding further investigations to unearth the entire network are in progress.
(With inputs from PTI)
ALSO READ | Mizoram: Heroin worth Rs 30 crore seized at India-Myanmar border, one arrested
ALSO READ | India sends back remaining 92 Myanmar soldiers day after plane crash in Mizoram
