Imphal: Security forces arrested three suspected insurgent cadres and recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives during a series of counter-insurgency operations across Manipur on Monday, officials said on Tuesday.

In one of the operations, personnel from Tengnoupal Police Station and the 3 Assam Rifles acted on specific intelligence and launched a search near Border Pillar 87. The operation led to the arrest of two alleged cadres of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The arrested individuals were identified as 23-year-old Vishwanath Singh alias Athouba, a resident of Bishnupur district, and 42-year-old Ibomcha Singh alias Chingamba from Imphal West district.

In a separate operation at Yairipok Bazar, a joint team of Thoubal District Police and the 31 Assam Rifles apprehended an alleged active member of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF-Ningolmacha faction).

The accused was identified as 34-year-old Korimayum Sarif Khan, a resident of Yairipok Top Laikon in Imphal East district. Security personnel recovered a mobile phone with a SIM card and Rs 5,000 in cash from his possession.

Meanwhile, the Kakching District Police Commando (CDO) and 46 Assam Rifles conducted a targeted operation in the Wangoo Nongyaikhong area based on intelligence inputs.

During the operation, security personnel apprehended 25-year-old Sorokhaibam Rakesh Singh, son of late S. Shamu Singh. Officials said interrogation of the suspect subsequently led to the recovery of a concealed cache of weapons and ammunition from the area.

The seized items included an INSAS rifle, a .303 rifle, four magazines, 116 live rounds of different calibres, 31 empty 12-bore cartridge cases and 750 grams of gunpowder.

In another operation, a joint team of Khongsang Police and the CRPF’s Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) carried out a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at Irang village in the Taobam area of Noney district.

The search resulted in the recovery of a single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) gun, nine live rounds and two Baofeng wireless communication sets along with a charging unit.

The arrested individuals and all recovered arms, ammunition and other materials have been handed over to the respective police stations for further investigation and legal proceedings.