Imphal: Security forces have intensified anti-insurgency operations along the Indo–Myanmar border in southern Manipur, leading to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, ammunition and explosives, officials said on Friday.
The operations follow a reported gun battle between rival insurgent groups operating along the border. Acting on intelligence inputs, security personnel conducted searches in the general area of Molcham village under Molcham Police Station in Chandel district, which shares a porous boundary with Myanmar.
Among the items recovered were an AK-47 rifle with two magazines, a 9 mm carbine machine gun with a magazine, two grenades, two grenade detonators, multiple magazines for different weapons, 194 rounds of ammunition, and five Baofeng VHF radio sets along with USB chargers.
Security forces stepped up operations after reports that at least four cadres belonging to the Kuki National Army and the People’s Defence Force in neighbouring Myanmar were killed in an exchange of fire with Manipur-based armed groups along the Indo-Myanmar border in Kamjong district.
According to sources, the gunfight took place near Border Pillar No. 90 in the vicinity of the Kabaw Valley, between Namli and Minda villages, beginning around 5.30 a.m. on March 18. The clash is believed to have involved armed groups from the Manipur side engaging with forces allegedly linked to the KNA and the PDF. Reports suggested that some weapons may have been seized during the encounter, though this could not be independently verified.
In a separate operation, security forces arrested an active cadre of the proscribed United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) from the Mantripukhri area in Imphal East district. The individual was identified as Chungkham Kiran Meitei alias Lepshinba (23), a resident of Khumbong Mayai Leikai under Patsoi Police Station in Imphal West district.
Officials said operations in fringe and vulnerable areas are continuing as part of efforts to curb insurgent activity and stabilise the security situation along the border.