In a major crackdown against illegal arms and ammunition, security forces recovered a large cache of weapons, explosives, and related materials during a series of coordinated operations carried out across multiple valley districts of Manipur.
Briefing media at the Police Headquarters on Saturday, Inspector General of Police (Zone-II), K. Kabib, stated that the operations were launched in the early hours of July 26 based on specific intelligence inputs. The joint effort involved personnel from the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and the Army/Assam Rifles. The districts covered under the operation included Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur.
The operation led to the recovery of 90 firearms and 728 rounds of assorted ammunition from multiple concealed locations. Among the seized weapons were three AK-series rifles, one M16 rifle, one INSAS light machine gun, five INSAS rifles, four Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), four .303 rifles, and seven pistols. The cache also included 20 carbines, eight rifles, 20 SBBL/Bore action guns, three anti-riot guns, one lathode gun, three DBBLs, six bolt-action guns, three two-inch mortars, and one locally fabricated pipe gun.
In terms of ammunition, the seizure included 399 rounds of 7.62 mm, 228 rounds of 5.56 mm, 35 rounds of .303, 23 rounds of 9 mm, and six rounds of .32 mm ammunition. Additionally, 21 hand grenades, one high-explosive mortar shell, nine tube launchers, and six Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were also recovered. Other items included 21 assorted magazines and 24 wireless handsets.
Describing the seizure as a “significant achievement,” the Manipur Police said the operation marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to neutralize threats posed by armed groups and restore peace and normalcy across the state. The department reiterated its commitment to public safety and called for continued cooperation from the public in reporting suspicious activities and information related to the movement or storage of illegal arms.