Manipur: Indian Army steps up intelligence-based operations, seize huge arms cache
Guwahati: Security forces deployed in violence-hit Manipur have recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition, explosives and other combat materials in different operations conducted on Saturday in Churachandpur, Thoubal and Imphal East districts.
In the first operation, a joint team of the Indian Army and Manipur Police carried out a search operation in the heavily forested upper reaches of Thangjing Ridge in Churachandpur district, Kohima-based Defence PRO, Lt Col Amit Shukla, said.
The operation led to the recovery of two 9mm pistols along with magazines, a single-barrel rifle, two locally fabricated rockets, a modified long-range mortar, two modified medium-range mortars, four mortar bombs, nine live rounds of 9mm ammunition, 6.2 kilograms of grade-two explosives, and other combat materials, he added.
In another operation, based on a tip-off, a team of the Army and Manipur Police conducted a search operation at Changbi village in the fringe areas of Thoubal and Imphal East districts, he said.
The operation resulted in the recovery of two carbine machine guns, two pistols, a single-barrel gun, nine hand grenades, eleven live rounds of ammunition of small arms, and other combat materials, he added.
All the recovered items were later handed over to the Manipur Police for further investigation and legal proceedings, he said.
The recovery of the arms, ammunition and explosives highlights the seamless coordination between the Indian Army and the local law enforcement agencies, reflecting their shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the people of the region, Lt Col Shukla further said.