In a joint operation on Saturday by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), 26 exotic birds worth Rs 28 lakh were rescued in Mizoram, which were reportedly smuggled from Myanmar and were being taken to Kerala.

The officials also arrested eight Indian nationals were also arrested from Khamrang village in Mizoram's Kolasib district.

The arrest was made at around 9 pm from two separate vehicles, which did not have proper documents and contained 26 wooden boxes.

The exotic birds were kept hidden in these boxes, police later said.

The rescued birds include Emu, Pigeon, White cockatoo (yellow crested) and Crown Head.