Imphal: Security forces in Manipur have arrested two alleged cadres of the banned National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM) and recovered two caches of weapons and ammunition during coordinated operations across multiple districts over 48 hours, according to an official defence wing statement issued on Thursday.

The operations were carried out based on intelligence inputs and targeted suspected insurgent networks and weapons storage sites in the state.

In the first operation, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Kakching Commandos conducted an early-morning raid in a residential area of Nambol in Imphal West district and arrested an alleged NRFM cadre.

According to the statement, interrogation of the suspect revealed alleged links to cross-border recruitment and illegal movement along the Myanmar border. Acting on the information obtained, security personnel subsequently apprehended another alleged associate in the Pallel area of Tengnoupal district.

The team recovered two mobile phones and three SIM cards suspected of being used for communications related to insurgent activities.

Both arrested individuals were subsequently handed over to Nambol Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings.

In a separate operation, Assam Rifles personnel and local police conducted a search in the Ikop Pat area of Thoubal district and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition.

The seized items included two submachine guns, four rifles, three pistols, hand grenades, detonators and ammunition of different calibres.

According to the statement, the recovery formed part of the wider operation targeting suspected weapons storage sites across the state.

Meanwhile, another joint operation in Pukhao Terapur in Imphal East district led to the recovery of four concealed bags containing firearms, explosives and protective equipment.

Special Commandos and Assam Rifles personnel seized a Sig Sauer P320 pistol, other firearms bearing foreign markings, a launcher, four additional guns and explosives. The recovered items also included bullet-resistant protective gear.

The statement said the weapons and other materials recovered from both locations had been documented and handed over to the respective local authorities for further legal proceedings.

The operations were part of coordinated security efforts targeting alleged insurgent activities and the recovery of illegal weapons in Manipur.