Agartala: Acting on a secret input, Tripura Police have successfully foiled a major terror plot by the newly formed militant group, the Tripura United National Front (TUNF), on the eve of Independence Day. Two active members of the group were arrested, and a significant cache of explosive materials was seized from their possession.
North Tripura Police Superintendent Avinash Rai said the group had planned to target police vehicles and personnel on Independence Day with the aim of killing officers and looting arms and ammunition. Acting swiftly, police teams set up a special checkpoint at the Vanghmun Naka on the Kanchanpur–Vanghmun road, where they intercepted a vehicle matching the input description.
The operation, led by SP Rai along with the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Panisagar, the SDPO of Kanchanpur, and the Officer-in-Charge of Vanghmun Police Station, resulted in the apprehension of two suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Dhananjoy Reang, 39, from Hailakandi, Assam, and Sadai Nando Reang, 34, from Kaskaupara, Damchera.
A thorough search of the suspects and their belongings, conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, led to the recovery of several dangerous items, including electric detonators, explosive bars (Neogel explosive), a knife, letterheads of the TUNF organization, a diary with phone numbers, threatening notes, three mobile phones, and two torches.
Preliminary investigations suggest the accused were part of a wider conspiracy to destabilize the state. Both individuals have been formally arrested and will be produced before the court.
Following the disbanding of all major factions of the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) — and a mass arms surrender in September 2024 — speculation began to emerge about the formation of a new militant outfit, reportedly dominated by Bru cadres.
At the time, security agencies had little concrete evidence of its existence apart from a name — the Tripura United National Front (TUNF). Senior Tripura Police officials later confirmed that the group was formed in Bangladesh, where it launched its initial operations. Early attempts to assert influence included issuing extortion notices in Kanchanpur and nearby areas.
Sources said the explosives they were carrying were originally military-grade weapons.
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