Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Police arrested a 31-year-old man from Kawnpui town on Friday, September 25, marking the ninth arrest in the killing of an Army soldier. The suspect is now in judicial custody. Zakaria Lalhriattluanga, a 29-year-old soldier with the Assam Regiment, died after a group of youths beat him on September 20. He was returning home to New Builum village in Kolasib district when the attack occurred.
Police previously arrested eight other people. This group includes one woman and two minors. The six adults remain in district jail, while authorities transferred the two minors to the Juvenile Justice Board. Investigations into the death remain active.
Mizoram Home Minister K Sapdanga plans to visit the soldier's parents on Saturday. He will deliver condolences and provide ex-gratia support to the family. Chief Minister Lalduhoma condemned the violence on Thursday. He stated, "the incident had brought disrepute to the state and its people."
Updated at 26th September 2026 at 2:00pm
Investigators confirmed that Lalhriattluanga was deployed to Jammu and Kashmir at the time of his death. Police are still digging into the exact circumstances surrounding the assault and the events that led to the confrontation.
Updated at 26th September 2026 at 2:16pm
Investigators pinned the motive on a traffic dispute. Zakaria was riding in a truck with his friend, John Laltanpuia, when the confrontation erupted. The suspects, who were heading back from a picnic, swarmed the vehicle near Bualpui village. Laltanpuia suffered injuries during the assault, while the soldier died at the scene.
Local ex-servicemen and residents from both New Builum and Kawnpui have joined the victim's family in demanding justice for the brutal slaying.
Updated at 26th September 2026 at 9:50pm
Home Minister K Sapdanga visited the soldier's parents at their New Builum residence on Saturday to offer condolences. He was joined by legislators Lt Col Clement Lalhmingthanga and TBC Lalvenchhunga. During the visit, Sapdanga noted that investigators made quick progress, apprehending the initial suspects within three hours of the attack. He emphasized that while the law allows 90 days to file a chargesheet, the government expects the accused to face full punishment.
Lt Col Clement Lalhmingthanga, speaking as president of the All Mizo Ex-Service League, said the soldier died attempting to protect his friend. Zakaria's father, VL Duailova, confirmed his son served as the family's primary breadwinner. Kolasib Superintendent of Police Lalrinpuia Varte stated that police have registered the case under Sections 103(1), 115(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Updated at 27th September 2026 at 1:49pm
Records now confirm the victim served with the 9 Assam Regiment. The motive for the attack was identified as a road-rage incident that turned deadly as the group of suspects returned from a picnic.
During the weekend visit to the family home, legislator and All Mizo Ex-Service League president Lt Col Clement Lalhmingthanga stated the soldier died while trying to shield his friend from the attackers. The victim's father, VL Duailova, confirmed his son was the primary earner for their household.
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