Three militants arrested, huge cache of weapons seized by SF

In a series of coordinated operations over the past two days, Manipur Police arrested three militants belonging to banned outfits and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition, dealing a significant setback to insurgent activities in the state.
The arrests targeted cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-PWG) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), along with a key individual involved in extortion and arms smuggling networks in the border town of Moreh.
On August 26, police arrested Suraj Oinam, alias Chingkhomba or Abungo, a 23-year-old active cadre of the KCP-PWG. He was picked up from Canchipur under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West while reportedly staying at Lamshang Mayai Leikai.
The following day, security personnel apprehended 22-year-old Sarangthem Ibomcha Meitei, alias Luwangba, an active KYKL cadre, from his residence at Itham Wangma Mayai Leikai. The arrest was made under the jurisdiction of Thoubal Dam Police Station in Imphal East district, and a mobile phone was seized from his possession.
In a parallel crackdown, authorities arrested 36-year-old V. Shiva, also known as Ishwar Pandey, a resident of Moreh Ward No. 4, who was allegedly involved in extortion targeting transporters, businessmen, and local commercial establishments. Officials said he also played a role in arms smuggling, supplying weapons to criminal elements in the Moreh region.
The operations coincided with major recoveries of arms and ammunition across different districts.
On August 27, security forces unearthed a large cache of weapons hidden in the jungles between Maohing and Changoubung villages under Kangpokpi Police Station. The recoveries included US-made M16 rifles with magazines and ammunition, looted .303 rifles, light machine gun parts, multiple pistols including imported variants, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), radio sets, and protective gear.
Additional seizures were made in the Khongnangpokpi area under Sekmai Police Station and near Kotzim village under New Keithelmanbi Police Station. These included locally-manufactured firearms, carbines, grenades, and improvised mortars, underscoring the continued availability of sophisticated as well as indigenous weaponry to insurgent groups.