The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and other security agencies, apprehended eight cadres and seized 25 weapons, along with ammunition and warlike stores, during a series of joint operations across multiple districts of Manipur, officials confirmed on Monday.
According to an official statement, the operations were carried out in Kakching, Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Chandel districts.
On February 2, acting on intelligence inputs, the Assam Rifles conducted a search operation in the Laiching-Duthang Junction area of Chandel district. This operation resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a country-made .303 rifle, a 9mm pistol, a 12-bore rifle, several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition, and other warlike stores.
In another operation on February 3, the Indian Army, in coordination with the CRPF and Manipur Police, recovered an AK-47 rifle, two 9mm submachine guns, two pistols, a 2-inch mortar, grenades, two IEDs, and ammunition from the Saiton Khunao area and nearby villages in Bishnupur district.
On February 4, Assam Rifles personnel, while conducting an Area Domination Patrol (ADP) in the forested regions of Tengnoupal district, spotted three suspicious individuals who fled upon noticing security forces. A subsequent search revealed a concealed cache containing improvised projectile launchers (Pompie) of various calibers and locally made grenades.
A large-scale joint operation on February 6, involving the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, and Manipur Police in the Nongyai Hill Range of Kakching district, led to the recovery of a 7.62 mm Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a single-barrel gun, two IEDs, grenades, ammunition, and other warlike stores.
Additionally, in Chandel district, the Assam Rifles conducted a search operation between Geljang and Tyang, leading to the discovery of a 7.62 mm assault rifle, ammunition, and other warlike stores.
On February 7, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched an intelligence-based search operation in Uyok, Bishnupur district. This resulted in the recovery of a .303 rifle, three single-bore barrel guns (SBBL), a .22 pistol, a 9mm pistol, ammunition, grenades, and other warlike stores.
February 8 saw a series of intelligence-led operations across different districts, culminating in the arrest of eight cadres and the recovery of arms and ammunition. In Thoubal district, a search operation in the Kakmayi area led to the apprehension of a cadre from the Kangleipak Communist Party (Kangleipak). Meanwhile, in Imphal East, a joint operation in the Tellou area resulted in the arrest of seven cadres from the Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) along with the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two INSAS rifles, three self-loading rifles (SLR), ammunition, and warlike stores.
All confiscated weapons and items were handed over to the Manipur Police following the successful operations.
These operations underscore the coordinated efforts of the Indian Army and security forces in maintaining regional security and ensuring the safety of civilians in Manipur.