Northeast insurgents add German weapons to their arsenal

Guwahati: The trade of illegal arms through Burma has taken an alarming dimension with Northeast militants, who were using Chinese weapons, now flooding Northeastern states with German fire arms of Heckler & Koch - HK 33 rifles.

Informing that security forces have recovered at least five-six HK series weapons from Ulfa and NDFB rebels, security sources said that it was one of the most lethal weapons that separatist groups of Northeastern states are suspected to have been procuring from Thailand.

The HK-33 rifle, which can fire 750 bullets per minute, was developed by the German company Heckler and Koch in 1960s as a scaled-down version of their G3 battle rifle, and entered production in 1968.

Though, HK-33 was not adopted by German military, it saw significant use by some West Germany police and security units, and also widely exported, and used by Malaysia, Chile and Thailand armed forces.

Since 1999, HK33 is also manufactured under license in Turkey. HK33 is still in production in Germany.

Pointing out that Thai Army was extensively using this weapon, security sources said that these weapons are smuggled to Burma from Thailand.

It is significant that security forces in Assam have been recovering average 400-sophisticated weapons every year from separatist groups in counter-insurgency operations since 1991.

Admitting that majority of weapons used by separatist outfits in Northeast are Chinese, security sources said that one of the Ulfa rebels who surrendered before security forces with HK-33 rifle recently has confessed that Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah was instrumental in adding this German rifle to its arsenal.

Disclosing that Ulfa cadres are now armed with HK series rifles, security sources said that Ulfa chief was also supplying this weapon to other separatist outfits of the region. Security sources admitted that arms conflict that started in Assam with hand-made pistols of Munger, indigenous double barrel gun and 303 rifles has come a long way.

Informing that AK series rifles are available for Rs 4 to Rs 4.5 lakh each, security sources said that HK series rifles are costing about Rs 14 lakh each.

Security sources said that Dimapur in Nagaland has become the hub of illegal trade of weapons in the northeastern region, which is patronised by Naga rebels.