A joint operation conducted by the 38 Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in the early hours of Saturday led to the recovery of a significant cache of illegal arms and ammunition from Makha Basti, a Kuki-dominated area in Jiribam district.
The operation began at 7:30 AM on June 22, following specific intelligence inputs about the possible presence of weapons in the area. Although no individuals were apprehended during the operation, the recovery points to an alarming stockpiling of arms in the region.
Among the items recovered were one 7.62mm Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) with a sling, one locally fabricated SLR with a sling, a 5.56mm INSAS rifle, and a 5.56mm M4 carbine, also with a sling. In addition, security forces found four locally made single-barrel firearms, a locally made pistol, and a pompi gun, along with four pompi bombs and one No. 36 hand grenade.
The team also recovered various magazines, including one for the 7.62mm SLR, two for the INSAS rifle, one for the M4 carbine, and one for the pistol. Ammunition included nine live rounds of 7.62mm SLR, five rounds for the INSAS rifle, and sixty live rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition. Explosive materials such as cordtex and approximately 200 grams of PEK (Plastic Explosive) were also seized.
Security forces believe the cache may have been intended for use by anti-social or insurgent elements operating in the area. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin and intended recipients of the weapons. Authorities confirmed that while no suspects were apprehended during the operation, further action is underway based on the findings.