The image shows a collection of firearms, ammunition, grenades, and communication devices displayed on a surface and has been shared with the claims that the Bangladesh Army arrested five Indian-backed terrorists attempting to enter Bangladesh via Mizoram, along with recovering rifles and ammunition and putting the Bangladesh military on high alert. These claims are entirely baseless and fabricated. In reality, the Mizoram police apprehended five members of the Myanmar-based militant group Chin National Front (CNF) and seized arms and ammunition near Saithah village in the West Phaileng Police Station jurisdiction of Mamit District.
Sharing the image on X (Formerly Twitter) serial fake news peddler and propagandist account @TacticalTribun wrote, “Banglesh Army arrested 5 Indian-backed terrorists who were trying to enter Bangladesh via Mizoram. Rifles and ammunition recovered. Bangladesh military on High Alert.”
Another propaganda account @QueenBangla also shared the image and wrote, “Bangladesh Army has arrested five Indian-backed terrorists who were trying to enter Bangladesh through Mizoram. Rifles and bullets have been recovered. The Bangladesh Army is on high alert.” (Translated from Bengali)
🇧🇩❌🇮🇳
— কুইন অফ বাংলাদেশ (@QueenBangla) January 17, 2025
বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী পাঁচজন ভারত-সমর্থিত সন্ত্রাসীকে গ্রেপ্তার করেছে, যারা মিজোরামের মাধ্যমে বাংলাদেশে প্রবেশের চেষ্টা করছিল।
রাইফেল এবং গুলি উদ্ধার করা হয়েছে। বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী উচ্চ সতর্কতায় রয়েছে। pic.twitter.com/mwuFw3gRJX
The truth behind the claims about Bangladesh Army, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the image and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the image and claims. We found that the claims were false and self-invented.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led us to media reports containing the same image. According to the media reports (1, 2) the Mizoram police apprehended five members of the Myanmar-based militant group Chin National Front (CNF) and seized arms and ammunition near Saithah village in the West Phaileng Police Station jurisdiction of Mamit District.
Initial investigations indicate that the seized arms were meant for trade between the Chin National Front (CNF), a prominent rebel organization from Myanmar, and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-P), an insurgent group active in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. They were not arrested by the Bangladesh forces. Also, they were not backed by India.
Additionally, we found a Mizoram Police statement regarding the incident. As per the statement, the Mizoram Police, with an Intelligence Agency, seized 6 AK-47 rifles, 10,050 cartridges, and 13 magazines near Saithah village, arresting five, including a Chin National Front (CNF) leader. The arms were for trade between CNF (Myanmar) and UPDF-P (Bangladesh), exposing transnational illegal arms trade. A case was filed, and further investigations aim to dismantle the network, enhancing regional security.
One of the largest arms recoveries in Mizoram, a collaborative effort by Mizoram Police and Sister Intelligence Agency.
— Mizoram Police (@mizorampolice) January 15, 2025
Detail Press Statement at https://t.co/lDiSyiFwBH pic.twitter.com/ilhIMGOPwm
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims made by propagandists were false and self-invented. In reality, the Mizoram police apprehended five members of the Myanmar-based militant group Chin National Front (CNF).
2856
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 17, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Pakistan-based anti-India propaganda accounts are spreading false claims that the Bangladesh Army arrested five Indian-backed terrorists attempting to enter Bangladesh via Mizoram, along with recovering rifles and ammunition (1/4) pic.twitter.com/PLhA8XTPtc
Intent
Propagandists are circulating false and fabricated claims about the arrest of five militants in Mizoram to set their narrative against India.
Conclusion
Claim– Bangladesh Army arrested five Indian-backed terrorists attempting to enter Bangladesh via Mizoram.
Fact– Mizoram Police, with an Intelligence Agency, seized 6 AK-47 rifles, 10,050 cartridges, and 13 magazines near Saithah village, arresting five, including a CNF leader.
Related Article: Fact Check: Video from Bangladesh unrest falsely shared as Indian Army – D-Intent Data
