Manipur: Wanted PLA cadre arrested for 2017 Assam Rifles ambush; arms, ammo recovered

Imphal: A senior cadre of the proscribed underground People's Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the banned Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), who was declared wanted by the Manipur government for his involvement in an ambush on Assam Rifles, was arrested.

A large cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives was recovered based on his disclosure, officials reported on Monday.

Acting on tips from different sources and intelligence networks, a joint team of Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles arrested the self-styled Major of RPF/PLA from a rented house located at Sagolband Nepra Menjor Leikai under Imphal Police Station (PS), Imphal West District, on Saturday night.

Koijam Ibochouba, also known as Inao, Sumo, Somo, and Pansareng (45), a resident of Yairipok Malom Mamang Leikai currently residing at Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai in Imphal West district, is a wanted insurgent in connection with the 2017 ambush of 4 AR in Sajik Tampak. Two securitymen lost their lives in that ambush.

Based on his disclosure, the security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, which had been buried inside a plastic drum at a farm at Kharungpat, Kakching District.

The recovered items included one M-16 rifle, eight SLR rifles, one .303 LMG, two .303 rifles, 190 rounds of Amogh carbine ammunition, 30 rounds of SLR ammunition, one detonator, 32 SLR magazines, four 7.62 LMG magazines, three .303 magazines, six .303 LMG magazines, three M-16 magazines, four INSAS magazines, three 2-inch mortars, two IEDs, one remote, two electric circuits, one spirit drum, and one mobile phone with a SIM card.

Officials added that the arrestee, along with the recovered items, has been handed over to the concerned police station for further legal proceedings.