India, Jan. 25 -- Two men with illegal firearms were arrested in north Tripura, while Assam police recovered a large quantity of explosives on Saturday during a search operation ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

A police officer said that Neeraj Kumar and Indar Mukhiya, both residents of Bihar's Samastipur, were nabbed from a hotel in the Dharmanagar sub-division of Tripura on Saturday. A pistol along with magazines was recovered from their possession.

"The duo will be charged under the Arms Act. We are investigating to find out who ordered this (pistol)," said the officer, adding that the operation was carried out by the district intelligence branch and Dharmanagar sub-divisional police.

Meanwhile, Assam police conducted a searc...