Imphal: A joint team of security forces and Manipur Police rescued two men from Assam who were allegedly held captive in Ukhrul district and, in a separate operation, recovered a large cache of arms, explosives and ammunition from Chandel district on Saturday.
The rescue operation was launched following an urgent alert from Titabar Police Station in Assam, which reported that two individuals had been unlawfully confined in Manipur as financial collateral. Acting on the information, security personnel traced the victims to Changta village under the jurisdiction of Lungchon Maiphai Police Station in Ukhrul district.
The rescued men were identified as Kasob Kachari (29) and Ajay Gogoi (33). After being safely rescued, they were handed over to their respective family members.
Police said the main accused in the abduction case remains absconding. A case has been registered, and intensive search operations are underway to trace and arrest the suspect.
Meanwhile, in a separate intelligence-based operation, security forces launched a search in the general area of Mombi village under Molcham Police Station in Chandel district as part of ongoing efforts to curb militant activities and recover illegal weapons.
During the operation, the team recovered a sizeable cache of arms and explosives, including nine single-barrel rifles, two 9mm pistols along with magazines, two improvised mortars, one stick hand grenade, and 94 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
No arrests were made during the arms recovery operation. The seized weapons and ammunition have been deposited at the concerned police station, where a case has been registered. Police said investigations are in progress to identify those responsible for concealing the arms and to ascertain their source and intended use.