India Intelligence Bureau warns drug cartels may incite Northeast unrest

Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials have warned that drug cartels may attempt to incite violence in India's Northeast region to revive disrupted smuggling networks. According to intelligence inputs, these groups aim to break the existing security chain by creating domestic unrest, which would divert the focus of security agencies away from narcotics interdiction toward managing civil instability.

Recent operations by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have significantly hampered drug trafficking, particularly operations originating from Myanmar. Officials noted that while security agencies have successfully contained major smuggling routes despite rugged terrain and riverine challenges, the disruption of peace provides a window for cartels to re-establish flows of narcotics into the region and subsequently to other parts of the country.

Multiple agencies are currently working to combat drug operations originating from Myanmar, Pakistan, and southern Indian states. The intelligence report suggests that cartels may also utilize disinformation campaigns to incite tensions and weaken the morale of security forces.