Imphal: In a major counter-insurgency operation, security forces conducted coordinated search and seizure drives across Manipur’s hill and valley districts on August 24, recovering a large cache of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and protective gear.
An active cadre of the Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) was also arrested in a separate operation.
Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team comprising Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CoBRA personnel carried out a cordon and search operation at J. Songtun village in Kangpokpi district. The operation resulted in the recovery of two country-made 12-bore guns, 14 12-bore rifles bearing various manufacturer, serial and licence markings, 1,225 rounds of 12-bore ammunition, six VHF wireless sets along with three chargers, a Golden Antler telescope, 18 bulletproof vests and a tactical pouch.
As security personnel were preparing to leave the village following the operation, a group of local residents, mostly women, reportedly blocked the road using stones and demanded the return of the seized weapons and other equipment. Security forces later dispersed the gathering and restored normal movement before safely leaving the area with the recovered items.
In a separate operation in the valley, a team of Kakching district commandos carried out a search at Kiyamgei Awang Leikai under Irilbung police station in Imphal East district and arrested an active underground cadre of the RPF/PLA. The 35-year-old, a resident of the locality, was allegedly found in possession of a cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK rifle, an SMG carbine, nine magazines of different types, 737 live rounds of assorted ammunition, three bulletproof plates and three tactical bulletproof jackets.
The arrested cadre and the seized weapons have been handed over to the concerned police station for further legal proceedings. Investigations are underway to trace the source of the recovered arms and ammunition and identify others who may be linked to the alleged network.