A routine security patrol by the Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district led to the recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED), averting a potential threat in the region.
The device was discovered on Thursday during a standard area domination exercise in a remote stretch between Mahadevpur and Wakro, near the Arunachal-Assam border. Security personnel immediately secured the site and called in a bomb disposal unit to neutralize the explosive.
According to officials, the IED was found concealed under foliage near a footpath frequently used by locals and security forces. “The swift response by the patrolling unit ensured that no harm came to civilians or troops operating in the area,” a source from the Assam Rifles stated.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for planting the device, initial assessments suggest it may have been intended to target security convoys or intimidate local populations. The region has in the past witnessed sporadic activity by insurgent outfits operating across state borders.
Following the discovery, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Arunachal Pradesh Police, launched a combing operation to ensure there were no additional threats in the vicinity. Security has been tightened along key movement corridors, and surveillance measures have been intensified.
Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. “This timely action has helped prevent what could have been a tragic incident. We remain committed to keeping the area safe,” said an official from the district administration.
The recovery underscores the continued security challenges in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in districts bordering Assam and Nagaland, where militant groups are known to exploit the dense terrain for movement and operations.
The Assam Rifles, often dubbed the “Sentinels of the Northeast,” have been instrumental in counter-insurgency efforts and maintaining stability across the region. Thursday’s recovery once again highlights the critical role played by security forces in safeguarding remote and sensitive areas of India’s northeastern frontier.
