The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday busted a cross-border smuggling network of arms, ammunition, and explosives and arrested a key accused in the case from Aizawl, Mizoram.
The accused has been identified as Langaihawma, a resident of the Mamit area of Mizoram, the NIA said in a statement. He was nabbed from Aizawl, Mizoram following inputs regarding the operations of a well-organised, large-scale illegal arms and ammunition supply network operating in certain Northeastern states of India, it mentioned.
The accused, along with others, was engaged in the trafficking of arms, ammunition, and explosive materials not only in the Northeastern states but also across the border, as per NIA investigations.
He was working in collusion with various operatives, including insurgent groups situated across the international border, it stated.
It mentioned that as part of their conspiracy, they had already distributed such terror hardware to various individuals in India and abroad. These illicit weapons and explosives are suspected to have been used in violent terrorist acts and criminal activities across different regions, it added.
It further stated that the case (RC-31/2023/NIA/DLI was registered by NIA on 26th December 2923, under sections 120B of IPC, sections 18 of UA (P) Act 1967, Section 6 of Explosive Substances Act 1908 and sections 25 (1) (a) & 25 (1AA) of Arms Act.
Further investigations to unearth the entire network is in progress, it mentioned.
