Northeast Desk, 18th October: In a significant operation, authorities in Manipur seized a massive cache of arms and ammunition during search operations conducted across multiple districts. These operations were a joint effort involving state and central security forces and were carried out in various vulnerable and remote areas.
Key findings from the operations include:
Imphal East District:
- Eight firearms, including an assault rifle, a 0.303 rifle, three SMG carbines, one sten gun, and two 9mm pistols were discovered.
- A total of 62 live rounds of ammunition, 18 explosives, a locally made bomb launcher, two Kenwood wireless sets, two tube launchers, one smoke grenade, and five bullet-proof jackets were recovered.
Churachandpur District:
- Officials recovered two arms, specifically a 9mm pistol with a magazine, and a locally made single-barrel weapon.
- This district also yielded 21 heavy-caliber machine gun rounds, a heavy mortar (10ft), a locally made improvised explosive, and a rocket-propelled grenade. These items were found in the Old Dampi village.
Joint operations were also conducted in several other districts and areas, including Phubala, Kumbi Thingel Leikai, Saiton Hyeikon village, and more.
In total, over 600 houses were searched, and more than 1,400 individuals were verified during these extensive operations. Notably, no arrests were made during the search efforts.
This operation underlines the government’s commitment to maintaining security and addressing the proliferation of illegal arms and explosives in the region.