Thu Jan 16 17:34:59 UTC 2025: ## Mizoram Police Make Major Arms Bust, Arrest Top Myanmar Rebel Leader

**Aizawl, India –** Mizoram Police announced a major breakthrough in their fight against transnational arms smuggling, arresting five individuals, including a high-ranking leader of the Myanmar-based Chin National Front (CNF), in one of the state’s largest arms seizures. The operation, conducted in partnership with an unnamed intelligence agency, uncovered a significant weapons cache on the outskirts of Saithah village in Mamit district.

Seized items included six AK-series assault rifles, over 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and 13 magazines. Police stated the weapons were destined for the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), a militant group operating in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. The arrest of the CNF leader represents a significant blow to the group and its operations.

The police highlighted the transnational nature of the arms trade, emphasizing the seizure’s contribution to regional stability. A case has been filed against the five arrested individuals.

This latest operation follows a September 2022 National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation in Aizawl, which uncovered 2,400 kg of explosives destined for the CNF. The connection between the two events underscores the ongoing threat posed by transnational militant groups.

Mizoram’s border with Myanmar and Bangladesh makes it a key transit point for arms smuggling. The presence of over 40,000 Myanmar refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict further complicates the situation. The close ethnic ties between populations on both sides of the border contribute to the challenges faced by law enforcement.

Read More