Manipur: Security forces recover 328 weapons in major crackdown across valley districts

Imphal (Manipur): Joint teams of Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the Army, and Assam Rifles have recovered a massive cache of 328 firearms, including SLR and Insas rifles, along with explosives and warlike stores during coordinated searches across five valley districts, according to local police officials.

ADGP Manipur Police, Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, said that the intelligence-led raids, conducted on the intervening night of June 13-14, mark a major breakthrough in efforts to curb violence and restore stability in the strife-torn state.

“In the intervening night of 13-14 June, search operations were launched in the outskirts of 5 valley districts by joint teams of Manipur Police, CAPF, Army and Assam Rifles. Explosives and other warlike stores were recovered by the joint teams. 151 SLR rifles, 65 Insas rifles, 73 rifles of other kinds, five carbine guns, 2 MP-5 guns and other warlike stores were recovered,” Lhatoo said in a press conference here.

“The total guns and rifles recovered are 328 in number. These intelligence-based operations mark a major achievement for the Manipur Police and the security forces in their continued efforts to restore normalcy, maintain public order, and ensure the safety and security of citizens and their properties,” he added.

Earlier this week, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Spear Corps, launched intelligence-based operations in the hill and valley districts, namely Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Imphal East and Imphal West between May 26 and June 5 in coordination with Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, according to a press release.

The operations resulted in apprehension of 23 cadres from the hill and valley-based groups and recovery of 40 weapons, nine Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), grenades, ammunition and war-like stores.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs of movement of cadres and presence of IEDs in the general area of Chadong, Imphal East district, the Indian Army, using specialised resources like Explosive Detection Dog, launched an operation on 27 May and recovered 05 IEDs connected in tandem, with a total of 35 kg of explosives.

Meanwhile, in another operation, a team of the Indian Army discovered a concealed hideout nearby, from where two 12-bore rifles, explosives, ammunition and war-like stores were recovered.

Acting on specific intelligence regarding the presence of arms and warlike stores in the general area Khuangmun in Churachandpur District, a search operation was launched by the Indian Army and Manipur Police on June 1 and recovered two IEDs, seven weapons comprising leading to the recovery of a .303 rifle, four single-barrel rifles, three improvised mortars (Pompi), two IEDs, ammunition and other warlike stores.