1.757 kg opium seized in Longding, 11 arrested

ITANAGAR, May 08: In a coordinated effort, the Military Intelligence, ECIB, and the 24th Assam Rifles recently conducted a successful operation in Longding district, targeting illegal opium trafficking.

Acting on precise intelligence, the operation led to the confiscation of 1.757 kg of opium from the residence of self-styled captain NSCN-KYA Azen Wangsu, a press release informed.

During the operation, a combined team of 24 Assam Rifles and Longding police apprehended 11 individuals suspected of involvement in illicit activities, with nine of them identified as civilians from Myanmar.

All suspects have been handed over to the Longding police for further investigation.

This operation follows earlier successes in combating insurgent activities by the Assam Rifles. In separate operations based on actionable intelligence, the paramilitary force apprehended NSCN members in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Notably, in the Kharsang area of Changlang district, an insurgent linked to NSCN (KYA) was captured with a .32 pistol and ammunition, thanks to timely intelligence and swift action by the Assam Rifles.

In a previous operation in March, the Assam Rifles detained an NSCN-KYA cadre in the Merangkong area of Nagaland.

The operation resulted in the seizure of a homemade single-barrel gun, indicating potential harm intended by the detained individual. Both the apprehended person and the confiscated weapon have been handed over to local authorities for further legal action.

These operations underscore the continued efforts to maintain security and combat illicit activities in the region, the release added.