India's borders are witnessing an alarming surge in the seizure of arms and explosives in 2025, signaling a potential record-breaking year for such confiscations. This increase raises serious concerns about cross-border smuggling, security threats, and evolving tactics employed by anti-social elements.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has reported a dramatic jump in the quantity of arms and explosives seized. By June 2025, the BSF had already confiscated 662 weapons, including 454 rifles. This figure represents a staggering 25-fold increase compared to the number of rifles seized in 2021. The amount of explosives recovered has also seen a significant rise, jumping to 22.4 kg from a mere 0.3 kg in 2021.

Several incidents highlight this worrying trend. In Manipur, security forces have been conducting extensive search operations in vulnerable areas, leading to the discovery of large caches of weapons, explosives, and protective gear. These operations are part of ongoing efforts to curb insurgency, maintain law and order, and prevent the proliferation of illegal arms in the region. The Indo-Myanmar border has been placed on high alert following the recovery of explosives and firearms, prompting security forces to intensify vigilance to prevent potential escalation.

Just ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations, a massive cache of explosives and weaponry was unearthed in Phinbiru village, located along the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border. The operation, conducted by the Assam Rifles, is believed to have foiled a major terror plot by insurgent groups. The seized materials included a substantial arsenal of radio sets, bomb-making components, a handmade pistol, detonators, primers, bomb fuses, and live ammunition. Security agencies suspect that the stockpile belonged to the ULFA (Independent) and NSCN (KYA) factions and was intended for carrying out attacks during Independence Day celebrations.

The increase in seizures is not limited to weapons and explosives. There has also been a significant rise in the confiscation of detonators and wireless sets. The BSF has reported a substantial increase in the number of detonators seized (681, up over 220% since 2021) and wireless sets (41, nearly triple). Interestingly, while weapon seizures have increased, the value of narcotics caught has decreased, suggesting a shift in smuggling tactics.

These developments underscore the need for heightened border vigilance and smarter security measures. Security agencies are constantly analyzing the origins of seized arms and conducting further investigations to identify the individuals or groups responsible for stockpiling them. The government has also intensified counter-insurgency measures to dismantle militant networks and prevent illegal arms smuggling. The successful operations conducted by security forces demonstrate their heightened vigilance and intelligence coordination, ensuring the safety and security of the public.