Imphal: Security forces intercepted a major cross-border arms consignment along the Indo-Myanmar frontier and arrested three active militants linked to extortion rackets across Manipur during coordinated operations conducted on Saturday.
For the first time this year, Assam Rifles personnel apprehended a Myanmar national, identified as 48-year-old Soetunou, son of Usoe, from Tamu, near Border Pillar No. 75 along the international boundary.
Official sources stated that troops launched the operation following specific intelligence about three individuals smuggling arms and ammunition into Indian territory.
While security personnel apprehended Soetunou at the spot, two of his associates managed to flee towards Myanmar through the dense terrain.
During a subsequent search of the area, troops recovered a substantial cache of warlike stores. Security officials confirmed the seizure of three AK-47 rifles with three magazines, 172 rounds of assorted ammunition and three grenades, comprising one Chinese-made grenade, one 40 mm high-explosive rifle grenade and one M-46 Lathode grenade.
The team also confiscated two telescopic sights and a steel ammunition box from the site. Authorities said further combing operations were underway to secure the sector.
Investigators said the ongoing probe aims to trace the origin and intended destination of the seized weapons, identify the two absconding suspects and determine whether the consignment was meant for armed groups operating in Manipur or elsewhere in the Northeast.
Officials added that interrogators would examine the detained suspect’s network and map the cross-border smuggling routes used by the syndicate.
Security analysts pointed out that Manipur shares an approximately 398-kilometre international boundary with Myanmar across five districts: Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong and Ukhrul.
Officials acknowledged that rugged terrain, traditional cross-border movement corridors and incomplete border fencing continue to pose significant challenges to round-the-clock surveillance and efforts to prevent illegal arms trafficking.
In a separate counter-insurgency operation on the same day, a joint team of Bishnupur district police commandos and security forces arrested an active cadre of the proscribed KCP (Apunba) outfit for his alleged involvement in extortion activities.
Police identified the accused as 28-year-old Ngangom Ibomcha Singh, alias Harou, son of Ng. Janeshwor Singh. He was apprehended from his locality at Irengbam Mamang Makha Leikai.
Police sources said sustained interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of his alleged accomplice, another active KCP (Apunba) cadre identified as 41-year-old Konjengbam Kumarjit Singh, alias Ngakpa, son of K. Samu Singh.
Commando teams raided his residence at Nambol Leimapokpam Awang Leikai and took him into custody for further questioning.
Meanwhile, acting on specific intelligence corroborated by the 31 Assam Rifles, Imphal East district police commandos arrested an active cadre of the UNLF (Pambei) faction from Wangkhei Ayangpalli Road, under the jurisdiction of Porompat Police Station.
Officials identified the arrested militant as 47-year-old Thingbaijam Naobi Singh, alias Yaima, a resident of Kongba Makha Leikai in Imphal East.
Police reported that the accused had been involved in extorting money from government offices and private firms across the district. Security personnel seized a TVS Jupiter scooter and Rs 10,000 in cash from him at the time of his arrest.
All those arrested and the seized items have been handed over to the respective police stations for necessary legal proceedings.