Aizawl/Imphal, May 28: Smuggling of various narcotic substances from Myanmar continues unabated in the northeastern states of India, as drugs valued at Rs 9.70 crore have been seized by the security forces in Manipur and Mizoram and four drug peddlers have been apprehended, officials said on Wednesday.

A Defence spokesman said that based on specific Intelligence regarding trafficking of narcotics, a mobile vehicle check post was established by Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police on Tuesday night at Teikhang area of Mizoram’s Saitual district.

During the operation, two individuals on two Chinese-made Kenbo bikes were intercepted, which resulted in the recovery of 758 grams of heroin with an approximate market value of Rs 5.30 crore.

In another incident in neighbouring Manipur, Assam Rifles, along with state police, conducted a search operation in Koide in Senapati district as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking. During the operation, 2.2 kg of brown sugar hidden in 220 soap cases and valued at Rs 4.40 crore was recovered.

The operation also led to two individuals being apprehended over suspicions of their involvement in illegal activities involving narcotics.

This successful joint operation reflects the steadfast commitment of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in combating the drug menace and maintaining peace and security in the region, the spokesman said.

The seized drugs and the arrested drug peddlers were handed over to the police of the concerned state for further investigation and legal action.

Meanwhile, two people were arrested with drugs worth Rs 4 crore on the outskirts of Aizawl on Monday.

The Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department officials, with the help of the Young Mizo Association’s anti-drugs squad, seized two kg of heroin and 9.8 kg of methamphetamine tablets, a police official said.

Officials said that as usual the seized drugs in Mizoram and Manipur were smuggled from Myanmar, which shares a 1,643 km unfenced border with four northeastern states of Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

This serves as a key transit point for drugs, particularly heroin and methamphetamine tablets, entering India.

Srinagar, May 28: Four drug peddlers were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore area, said police on Wednesday, adding that narcotic substances were recovered from them.

“Based on specific inputs received from the public, Sopore Police launched a series of well-coordinated operations leading to the arrest of four drug peddlers and seizure of narcotic substances, including codeine-based syrup and brown sugar-like material,” said the police in a statement.

Three separate FIRs have been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act.

In the first incident at Adipora Crossing, one Rameez Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Hassan Mir, resident of Adipora Sopore, was arrested with 13 bottles of codeine-like substance with tampered labels. In the second operation, Waseem Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Hassan Mir, also a resident of Adipora Sopore, was apprehended at Malpora-Warpora Crossing while attempting to flee from the naka point. A quantity of brown sugar-like substance was recovered from his possession.

In another significant bust at Chijhama Crossing, two individuals — Javid Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohammad Subhan Bhat, and Rayees Ahmad Baba, son of Bashir Ahmad Baba, both residents of Marzipora — were arrested while transporting codeine-based substances in a truck (JK05E-4845), which was also seized.

“These arrests are part of Sopore Police’s sustained crackdown on the drug network threatening the lives of local youth,” said the statement.

SSP Sopore, while reaffirming the district police’s commitment, stated: “These operations underscore our zero-tolerance policy against drug peddling. Let this be a strong message — those involved in the narcotics trade will face strict legal action. With public support, we are determined to rid Sopore of this menace.”

Sopore Police has thanked the public for their continued cooperation and urged citizens to keep reporting suspicious activities to help build a safer, drug-free society.

Police and the security forces have started an aggressive campaign against drug smugglers and drug peddlers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Security forces and the intelligence agencies believe that the funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala rackets are finally used to support terrorism in the union territory. The anti-terrorism operations, therefore, include operations against drug smuggling as well.

Babina, May 28: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi witnessed high-tech demonstrations of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Counter-UAS technology, and Loitering Munitions at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in Uttar Pradesh, the Indian Army said on Wednesday.

In a post on X, the Army stated, “General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, witnessed cutting-edge demonstrations of indigenous UAS, Counter-UAS and Loitering Munitions on 27 May 2025 at Babina Field Firing Ranges.”

“These capabilities will significantly enhance operational efficiency, force protection and precision engagement across varied terrains,” the statement further read.

The demonstrations are part of a broader effort to boost India’s defence preparedness through advanced homegrown technology.

The Army shared several images and a video clip from the exercise, highlighting the use of sophisticated drone systems in battlefield simulations.

The Indigenous UAS showcased during the event is designed to offer real-time surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance data in challenging operational scenarios.

These systems mark a vital step in the Indian Army’s transformation towards a more agile and responsive force, in alignment with its broader agenda of network-centric warfare and enhanced battlefield transparency.

Of particular significance were the loitering munitions — a new class of precision-guided weapons that hover above target zones, assess threat scenarios, and then strike with pinpoint accuracy.

These munitions can function either autonomously or under human control and are programmed to self-destruct upon impact.

The loitering munitions demonstrated at Babina had already seen operational deployment during Operation Sindoor, where they were used to destroy nine high-value terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The strategic strikes were carried out entirely from Indian soil in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack and were based on precise intelligence inputs that pinpointed the targets.

The Army’s emphasis on adopting advanced drone warfare systems follows the government’s recent approval of a new ‘programme execution model’ for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — the country’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter project.

The model, cleared by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, opens the door for private players to compete alongside state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a departure from the long-standing policy of reserving fighter jet production exclusively for HAL.

This shift is expected to accelerate prototype development and streamline the induction of next-generation combat systems into the armed forces.