AIZAWL: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has busted an international gun-running racket and arrested the mastermind from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram.
The NIA claimed on Saturday that the mastermind of the run-running racket has been identified as one Lalngaihawma, a resident of the Mamit area in Mizoram.
Lalngaihawma was nabbed from Aizwal following inputs regarding the operations of a well-organised, large-scale illegal arms and ammunition supply network operating in certain Northeast India states, the NIA said.
The investigating agency found that Lalngaihawma was part of an international gun-running racket, which had strong connections in the Chin province in Myanmar.
The NIA said that the accused was engaged in the smuggling of arms, ammunition and explosives not only in the northeastern states but also across the border.
More people have been found to be involved in the international arms smuggling racket, the NIA said, adding that Lalngaihawma was working in collusion with various operatives, including insurgent groups situated across the international border.
The NIA booked Lalngaihawma under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with sections 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, section 6 of Explosive Substances Act 1908 and sections 25 (1) (a) & 25 (1AA) of Arms Act.
The arms smuggling network distributed terror hardware to various individuals in India and abroad, the NIA said, adding that the weapons and explosives are suspected to have been used in violent terrorist acts and criminal activities across different regions.
Though the NIA did not divulge much details of the international gun-running network, it is understood that the network has a strong base in the Chin province of Myanmar, and has direct links with the mercenaries of the United Wa State Army (UWSA).
