Aizawl, Oct 31: In a significant operation in less than a week, Assam Rifles seized a large cache of Myanmar-bound tactical and war-like stores, including explosive materials, from southern Mizoram’s Siaha district and apprehended four persons in this connection, officials said on Monday.

Defence spokesman Lt. Col. Mahendra Rawat said that acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Mizoram police launched the operation in Tuipang village of Siaha district on Sunday night and recovered the Myanmar bound arms, ammunition, and explosives.

“The team had specific information about movement of tactical and war like stores for insurgents based in Myanmar. The security personnel intercepted and searched one Kenbo bike (Chinese made) and one Yodha vehicle and recovered large number and quantities of tactical and war-like stores,” he said.

Lt. Col. Rawat said the arms and explosives recovered were of military grade and hence, the same being used for anti-national activities by insurgents based in Myanmar cannot be ruled out.

The seized items include, one shotgun, 2483 rounds of ammunition, 169 Gelatin sticks, 1500 pellets of Cal 4.5 mm and 0.177 mm.

The detained four smugglers and seized items have been handed over to Siaha Police station for further investigation and legal proceedings.

“This operation is a huge setback for all anti-national activities. The operation’s success would go a long way in establishing peace and harmony along the India-Myanmar Border,” a defence statement said.

On October 26, Assam Rifles and Mizoram police seized a large cache of Myanmar-bound tactical and war-like stores, including a satellite phone, 105 bullets of point .22 rifle, 35 packets of potassium, from the same Siaha district and apprehended four persons in this connection.

Mizoram shares 510 km unfenced borders with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh.