UKHRUL: A joint operation conducted by the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) led to the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the Maranmei Hill Range in Senapati district of Manipur on Thursday.
The operation was launched by the 16 Assam Rifles based on specific intelligence inputs received from ARFIU and 3 CIB, which were further corroborated through additional field sources. Acting on the credible information, the security forces carried out a well-coordinated search operation in the area, resulting in the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal weapons and ammunition.
According to officials, a total of 15 weapons were recovered during the operation. The cache included one AK-47 rifle with magazine, one MP-5 rifle with magazine, one .303 rifle with magazine, two .22 rifles with magazines, four locally made bolt-action rifles, three .32 pistols with magazines, two .22 pistols with magazines, and one locally made shotgun.
Security forces also recovered a substantial quantity of ammunition comprising four live rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, seven empty cases of 5.56 mm ammunition, 15 live rounds of 9 mm ammunition, 20 live rounds of .303 mm ammunition, 20 live rounds of .32 mm ammunition, four live rounds of sniper ball 7.62×54 mm ammunition, 16 live rounds of 12 bore ammunition, and six empty rounds of 12 bore ammunition.
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Officials described the recovery as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb insurgent activities and disrupt the illegal arms supply network operating in the region. The successful operation, they said, reflects the operational preparedness and close coordination among the security forces deployed in Manipur.
The recovery of such a large cache of arms and ammunition is expected to deal a major blow to insurgent groups operating in the area and serves as a strong deterrent against future unlawful activities.