Manipur police nab man with pistol in Imphal; seize arms cache in follow-up raid

Imphal: Manipur police arrested a 30-year-old man and seized a pistol during a routine frisking at Sanakeithel market in Imphal West district on Wednesday.

The arrested individual, identified as Laishram Rajeshor Singh alias Naocha (30), son of the late L. Rajen Singh, was found carrying a pistol with a loaded magazine containing three 7.65mm bullets, police said.

He is a resident of Lamlai Awang Leikai originally but currently resides in Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai, both within Imphal West district, said a police official.

Building on this intelligence, a combined force of state and central police launched a follow-up operation in Phouoibi village in Thoubal district. The raid, based on specific information about hidden arms and ammunition, resulted in a significant seizure.

Police recovered a powerful 5.56mm MA-3 Assault Rifle (believed to be of Burmese origin), two mortar bombs, a single RPG shell, three grenades, a cache of ammunition, and other military-grade supplies, the official added.

The arrested suspect, Laishram Rajeshor Singh, along with the seized pistol and ammunition, has been sent to the concerned police station for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The recovered arms and ammunition from Phouoibi village are also undergoing investigation to determine their origin and purpose.