Indian security forces seized a large amount of explosives near the Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram on Wednesday (November 6). The explosives were believed to be intended for Myanmar's anti-junta resistance groups, according to officials familiar with the situation.

According to Hindustan Times, two men were caught on the Serchhip-Thenzawl road with a "war-like" stockpile, including 9,600 gelatin sticks, 9,400 detonators, and 1,800 meters of Cordtex (a type of detonating cord). The Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police stopped the vehicle at a checkpoint based on specific information about the movement of explosives.

The Assam Rifles, responsible for guarding the Indo-Myanmar border, have increased their surveillance in the area. This step was taken after receiving reports that members of Myanmar’s People’s Defence Force (PDF) were trying to smuggle explosives and other illegal items across the border. The PDF has been fighting against Myanmar’s military rulers since the coup on February 1, 2021, that removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
This is the second major seizure of explosives headed for Myanmar recently. On October 12, the Assam Rifles found 39,000 detonators near the Tiau River along the border. In May, a member of the Chin Resistance Force (CRF) was caught trying to smuggle bullets, radio equipment, and tactical gear into Myanmar through Mizoram.

In the latest incident, the two arrested men are residents of Mizoram. They were handed over to the Mizoram police for further investigation. The authorities are now looking into how Myanmar’s rebel forces are getting these supplies from India.

Officials mentioned that smuggling activities through Mizoram have increased after the Manipur government stopped vehicles from crossing the India-Myanmar border under the Free Movement Regime (FMR). The FMR allows people living within 16 kilometers of the border to cross without needing a visa or passport.
Myanmar shares a 1,643-kilometer border with several Indian states, including Mizoram and Manipur. To prevent illegal entry and smuggling of weapons and drugs, the Indian government has begun building a fence along parts of this border. So far, about 30 kilometers of fencing have been completed, using a combination of physical barriers and smart technology. The Indian government and Manipur state officials have also accused Myanmar-based militant groups of fueling the ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur, which have been continuing for the last 18 months.

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