The Sentinels of the Northeast: Assam Rifles’ Role in Counter-Insurgency Operations

By M S Nazki

They are doing a fabulous job and there is no doubt about the same! They are mavericks of sorts doing all what counts as far as the people go!

-They recently organized a security meet to maintain peace and tranquility in Manipur!

-Assam Rifles in a proactive approach conducted a security meeting at Aina Village, Churachandpur District, Manipur, to engage with the locals and village chiefs to discuss security issues. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation and enhance mutual trust between security forces and villagers. Following the interaction, a friendly volleyball match was also organized between Assam Rifles personnel and the local youth of Aina Village, fostering camaraderie and community engagement. The initiative was well received by the locals, who appreciated Assam Rifles.

-Then they honored the brave hearts in Manipur again: A solemn wreath laying ceremony was conducted at Veng Village in Churachandpur District to honour the supreme sacrifice of the braveheart, Late Subedar Sarwan Kumar, Sena Medal (Posthumous). The brave-heart laid down his life while valiantly fighting against insurgents on 10 March 2009, at Haijang Village, Kangpokpi, Manipur. Senior officials from Assam Rifles paid tribute and interacted with Veer Nari Smt Sheela Devi, wife of Late Subedar Sarwan Kumar, Sena Medal (Posthumous) to express the Battalions’ gratitude and unwavering support. A poignant moment during the ceremony was when Rifleman Prince Kumar Rana, son of the brave-heart and a proud member of the same unit since 05 July 2017, laid a wreath in honour of his father’s courage and sacrifice. His presence symbolized the continuation of his family’s legacy of service to the nation. The event reaffirmed the commitment of Assam Rifles to remember and honour its’ brave-hearts, ensuring their sacrifices remain etched in the collective memory of the force and the nation.

-Assam Rifles National integration tour explores Dehra, visits Indian Military Academy & Forest Research Institute: 17 Boys and 11 Girls, from Manipur, who are participating in the National Integration Tour, organised by Assam Rifles formation under Spear Corps, commenced their four-day visit to Dehradun. The students visited Indian Military Academy, interacted with the Commandant, witnessed first-hand the training being imparted to Gentlemen Cadets and also engaged with them for gaining perspectives about joining the Indian Army. The participants also visited the Forest Research Institute and explored historical sites thus gaining insights into the diversity of the country.

This they are doing on the non-operational front but they are equally doing well on the operational front:

-Heroin worth Rs 3 crore, firearm seized in joint operation by Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police: In a significant crackdown on drug smuggling and illegal arms trade, security forces seized heroin worth Rs 3 crore and a firearm in two coordinated operations near the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram’s Champhai district, according to an official statement released. Heroin worth Rs 3 crore, firearm seized in joint operation by Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police! In a significant crackdown on drug smuggling and illegal arms trade, security forces seized heroin worth Rs 3 crore and a firearm in two coordinated operations near the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram’s Champhai district, according to an official statement released. The Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police, acting on intelligence inputs, conducted the raids and arrested two individuals in connection with the seizures.

In the first operation, a joint team intercepted a 19-year-old suspect in Zokhawthar on Friday and recovered 408 grams of heroin from his possession. The accused was subsequently taken into custody, as confirmed by Assam Rifles. In a separate operation, another team of security personnel deployed near Zokhawthar seized a rifle from an individual. The authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the origins and intended use of the confiscated weapon. The arrests and seizures underscore ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb cross-border smuggling activities along the India-Myanmar frontier. Investigations are underway to ascertain possible links to larger trafficking networks.

-Indian Army, Assam Rifles Recover Weapons, IEDs In Joint Operations

-The operations resulted in the recovery of 25 weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition and other war-like stores. Security forces also destroyed bunkers in the Kangpokpi district, the official statement read. The operations resulted in the recovery of 25 weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition and other war-like stores. Security forces also destroyed bunkers in the Kangpokpi district. Kohima: In a series of successful joint operations, Indian Army and Assam Rifles soldiers under the Spear Corps launched a large number of operations in the hill and valley districts of Jiribam, Tengnoupal, Kakching, Ukhrul, Imphal East and Imphal West of Manipur in coordination with Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF and ITBP.

The operations resulted in the recovery of 25 weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition and other war-like stores. Security forces also destroyed bunkers in the Kangpokpi district, the official statement read.

In general area Bidyanagar and New Alipur villages in Jiribam district, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and CRPF recovered three pump action Shotguns, one double barrel rifle, ammunition and war like stores. Whereas, in Senam of Tengnoupal district, 11 weapons consisting of two INSAS rifles, two Carbines, two Pistols, one Rifle, four improvised mortars, 13 IEDs, grenades, ammunition and war-like stores were recovered.

In the general area, Hangul in Kakching district, recovered five weapons comprising one Carbine, one 0.22 Rifle, one Single Barrel, one modified 0.303 Rifle, one Sigle Barrel Bolt Rifle. In general area Moirang Kampu, Imphal East district, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched joint operations and recovered one Pistol, ammunition and war-like stores.

Four weapons were recovered by the Indian Army, BSF and Manipur Police in the general area of Thawai Kuki/Litan in Ukhrul district. The weapons include two 81mm mortars, one 51mm mortar, one improvised mortar, ammunition and war-like stores. The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police for further investigation and dispersal. These coordinated efforts by security forces highlight their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and security in Manipur.

-Army, Assam Rifles recover arms, ammunition in joint operation in Manipur:

Eight weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ammunition and war-like stores were seized while two cadres were apprehended during a joint operation of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles. “Indian Army and Assam Rifles formation under Spear Corps launched intelligence-based operations in the Tengnoupal, Imphal East and Churachandpur districts on Saturday. It apprehended two cadres from hill and valley-based groups and recovered eight weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ammunition and war-like stores,” an official statement read. Another intelligence-based operation carried out in the general area of Maojang village, H Munnon, Tengnoupal district on February 21 by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police resulted in the recovery of five IEDs. The IEDs were destroyed in situ after due clearances and precautions.

On February 22, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a joint operation in the general area of Phunlo Maring in the Imphal East district of Manipur and recovered one Bolt Action Rifle, five 9mm Pistols, one 9mm Carbine Machine Gun (CMG), one Machine Gun (country made), grenades, ammunition and war like stores. Similarly, intelligence-based operations launched in the general area of Moirang on February 22 by the Indian Army and Manipur Police resulted in the apprehension of a cadre, who, on initial questioning, confirmed his allegiance to KCP.

The Sentinels of the Northeast: Assam Rifles’ Role in Counter-Insurgency Operations and we were analyzing their contribution in tackling insurgency in states like Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.