Imphal: In a major counter-insurgency operation, a joint team of Manipur Police commandos and central security forces arrested an active cadre of the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and recovered a large cache of arms, explosives and military equipment from Imphal East district.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, security forces launched a search operation in the Sanjenbam Khullen area under Lamlai Police Station on Thursday. During the operation, they apprehended Athokpam Joychandra Singh alias Ibungcha (45), a resident of Nongpok Sanjenbam Kambong Pat, police said.
Based on information provided during preliminary interrogation, the joint team conducted a follow-up search in the Wakha hill area under Porompat Police Station, where a concealed cache of weapons and explosives was recovered.
The recovered items included two .32 calibre pistols, a 12-bore pump-action SBBL gun, a double-barrel gun and a single-barrel gun. Security personnel also seized five No. 36 hand grenades, three hand grenade detonators, one Lathode shell, two 2-inch high-explosive mortar bombs and five tube launchers.
In addition, the team recovered two .32 pistol magazines, 86 live rounds of ammunition, 20 barrel cartridges, nine empty 7.62 mm cartridge cases, along with military-style clothing, including tactical jackets and boots.
Police said the arrested insurgent and the recovered arms and ammunition have been handed over to the concerned police station for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The operation is part of the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts by Manipur Police and central security forces to curb militant activities across the state.