Imphal, Feb. 2 -- Assam Rifles recovered 5.90 kgs of pangolin shells/scales worth around Rs 5.19 Lakhs smuggling from Myanmar into India through Manipur's village Khudengthabi, Tengnoupal district during an operation on Tuesday, a defence wing press statement said here on Wednesday.

The Assam Rifles Tengnoupal Battalion under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) foiled Cross border smuggling of pangolin scales at Village Khudengthabi, Tengnoupal on Tuesday, the statement said.

The pangolin is threatened by poaching for its meat and scales, which are used and consumed by local people, but are also increasingly traded internationally. Various parts of the pangolin are valued as sources of food and medicine. ...