Manipur: Security Forces Recover 35 Weapons, Ammunition And War-Like Stores, Thwart Infiltration Attempt

Security forces in Manipur recovered 35 weapons, ammunition, and other war-like stores during a series of coordinated operations conducted across the hill and valley regions of the violence-hit state over the past week, reported the New Indian Express.

The operations, carried out jointly by the Army, Assam Rifles, police, and other law enforcement agencies, aimed to curb illegal arms and prevent further unrest in the region.

On 19 January, a defence statement detailed the recovery of one modified sniper rifle, five 9 mm pistols, two single-barrel rifles, grenades, ammunition, and war-like stores during an operation at Lungkhongjang Ridge in Bishnupur district. This operation was executed by the Army in collaboration with Assam Rifles and the police.

A similar joint effort by the Army, CRPF, and the police on 20 January near the Khuga River and Dampi Ridge, located on the Bishnupur-Churachandpur border, resulted in the seizure of a 9 mm submachine gun, one .303 rifle, one pistol, a country-made mortar, a grenade launcher, grenades, ammunition, and war-like stores.

In Tengnoupal district on the Indo-Myanmar border, Assam Rifles intercepted a suspected infiltration attempt on 20 January and apprehended an individual associated with the rebel group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup.

Further recoveries were made in operations on 23 January in Thoubal district, where a country-made pistol, a single-bore country-made rifle, ten hand grenades, and ammunition were seized. Two KCP (PWG) rebels were also apprehended in Thoubal district with 9 mm pistols and war-like stores.

Additional seizures included a carbine, grenades, and ammunition in the Jiribam district; a 9 mm pistol, a locally made mortar, and an IED in the Chandel district; and a self-loading rifle, a carbine machine gun, and 51 mm mortars in the Imphal West district.

On 25 January, Assam Rifles and police recovered a modified .303 sniper rifle, an airgun rifle, grenades, and ammunition from Kakching district. Another operation in Sekmai (Tendongyan) yielded a .303 rifle, pistols, and grenades.

The defence statement credited these successes to the seamless cooperation between security forces and law enforcement agencies, emphasising the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in Manipur.