Imphal, Jan 27: With the security forces having intensified search operations and area domination to recover looted weapons in Manipur, more arms and ammunition were seized both from the valley and hill districts.
The Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and other security forces in a series of coordinated successful operations across multiple districts in the state recovered 35 weapons and large caches of ammunition and warlike stores during the period from January 19 to January 25, media reported.
After receiving specific intelligence reports, the operations were carried out, targeting areas like Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Churchandpur, Imphal West, Noney, Jiribam, and Kakching districts.
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Recoveries included sniper rifles, submachine guns, grenades, and improvised explosive devices.
A police report informed that one 5.56 mm Heckler & Koch G3 Rifle with magazine, one .303 sniper (modified), one .22 pistol with magazine, one single-barrel rifle, two improvised mortars, five .303 live rounds, two Chinese hand grenades, and one Motorola handset (Baofeng) were recovered from the general area of Nepali Basti, Vietum Khullen—Khoken village Road under New Keithelmanbi Police Station, Kangpokpi district, in the past 24 hours.
Security forces arrested two cadres of the United Kuki Revolutionary Army (UKRA) on January 25, a signatory to the suspension of operation (SoO).
The arrested were identified as Thangrengsong Kom (45) and L Washington Kom (42) who were involved in extortion activities from Ex-Servicemen from Maunjang village, New Dampi under Churachandpur Police Station, Churchandpur district.
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From their possession, two mobile phones, one wallet and one catapult were recovered, police said.
In October 2024, the Centre’s security advisor in Manipur, Kuldiep Singh said that nearly 3,000 looted weapons, out of the 6,000, have still remained traceless and highlighted operations conducted by security forces as crucial efforts.
(Newmai News Network)