Imphal, Jan 5: Manipur security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives and arrested several active militants in a series of coordinated counter-insurgency operations carried out across the state between January 3 and 4, officials said on Sunday.
On January 4, security personnel conducted a search operation at Yairipok Top Ningthounai Lai Ching under Andro Police Station in Imphal East district, leading to the seizure of a significant quantity of arms and explosives.
The recovered items included one Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) with magazine, a single-barrel gun, a 9 mm pistol with magazine, a .32 pistol with magazine, a .32 automatic pistol with two magazines, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two No. 36 hand grenades, one Chinese-made hand grenade and 37 live rounds of ammunition.
Other materials such as a raincoat, a sleeping bed kit and a foldable tent were also recovered. In another operation on January 3 at Lanchingmanbi, Chingphei village under Henglep Police Station in Churachandpur district, security forces seized a rocket containing approximately 100 kg of explosives, a sniper rifle fitted with a telescopic daylight scope, two country-made single-barrel breech-loading guns, a 9 mm pistol with magazine, five 7.62 mm live rounds, ten 12-bore cartridges and an IED weighing around 3 kg.
On the same day, a separate operation at Kangaching Tellou under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East district led to the recovery of two .32 bore pistols with magazines, a 51 high-explosive mortar bomb, two No. 36 hand grenades, 91 live rounds of various calibres, two .303 light machine gun magazines, a BAOFENG wireless set, seven bulletproof plates, a bulletproof helmet, a pistol holster and a grenade.
Meanwhile, security forces also arrested multiple militants during the operations. On January 4, Laishram Kullabi Meitei (35), also known as Ronel, an active cadre of the RPF/PLA from Liwa Road Kha Maibam Leikai in Imphal West district, was arrested. Two mobile phones were seized from his possession.
Another militant, Tensubam Bangkim Singh (25), also known as Chak-thekpa or Mangang Punshiba, a KCP (Taibanganba) cadre from Nambol Leitonjam Makha Leikai in Bishnupur district, was arrested with a 9 mm pistol, four live rounds and a mobile phone.
Mahesh Sarangthem (19), an RPF/PLA cadre from Kairembikhok Maiyai Leikai in Thoubal district, was also arrested from his residence, officials said.
Authorities stated that the operations were part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts aimed at neutralising militant threats and preventing potential attacks in the state. Security forces remain on high alert, and further operations are underway.
