Kolkata, Sep 8 (IANS) Continuing its drive against criminal activities in the northeastern states, the Assam Rifles under Spear Corps apprehended two persons from Agartala and recovered two firearms from them.

The intelligence-based operation was conducted in coordination with the local police.

The two individuals have been taken into custody by the Tripura Police and are being questioned about their involvement with insurgent groups.

Assam Rifles units are posted across several states in northeastern India, including Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam and Tripura.

While insurgency has been brought under control in most of the states, there are continuous attempts by banned outfits to regroup and build up networks through extortion and recruitment of youths.

“The Assam Rifles maintains constant vigil on activities involving insurgent groups. Insurgents operate across state boundaries to evade the police. The insurgent groups are also linked to each other and provide shelter to each other’s cadres. A strong intelligence network is required to get to them,” a senior official said.

The two individuals were apprehended in the Salbagan area of Agartala, the official said, and two pistols with magazines were recovered.

Recently, two overground workers of the NSCN(IM) were nabbed in Assam’s Tinsukia during a joint raid involving the Assam Rifles.

Extensive intelligence-based joint operations were also carried out between August 29 and September 6 by the Army, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces and Manipur Police across the Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, Jiribam, Imphal West and Thoubal districts of Manipur and the Tinsukia district of Assam.

Two insurgents were killed and nine apprehended in these operations. Four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), weighing a total of 38 kg, were also disposed.

The operations also led to the recovery of 10 weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores. The successful actions reaffirm the operational synergy, vigilance and resolve of the forces to disrupt unlawful activities and strengthen security in the region, the Spear Corps said in a statement.

–IANS

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