Security forces in Manipur, including the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and other agencies, carried out a series of joint operations across multiple districts, leading to the arrest of eight insurgents and the seizure of 25 weapons along with ammunition and explosives, officials reported on Monday.

The operations, conducted in Kakching, Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Chandel districts, were based on intelligence inputs.

On February 2, Assam Rifles carried out a search in the Laiching-Duthang Junction area of Chandel, uncovering an AK-47 rifle, a country-made Pt 303 rifle, a 9mm pistol, a 12-bore shotgun, IEDs, grenades, and other combat gear.

The following day, February 3, a joint team of the Indian Army, CRPF, and Manipur Police seized more weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, two 9mm submachine guns, two pistols, a 2-inch mortar, grenades, IEDs, and ammunition, from villages in Bishnupur district. On February 4, during a routine patrol in Tengnoupal’s forested region, Assam Rifles personnel spotted three individuals behaving suspiciously. As they attempted to flee, security forces discovered a hidden stockpile of improvised projectile launchers and locally made grenades.

A large-scale operation on February 6 in Kakching’s Nongyai Hill Range, involving the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, and Manipur Police, led to the recovery of a self-loading rifle (SLR), a single-barrel gun, grenades, IEDs, and ammunition.

In Chandel district, another search operation between Geljang and Tyang resulted in the seizure of an assault rifle and additional ammunition.

Security forces continued their crackdown, with Assam Rifles and Manipur Police recovering more weapons, including a .303 rifle, multiple single-barrel guns, a .22 pistol, and a 9mm pistol, in Bishnupur on February 7.

By February 8, intelligence-based raids across different districts led to the capture of eight insurgents. Among them, a Kangleipak Communist Party (Kangleipak) cadre was arrested in Thoubal’s Kakmayi area, while seven members of the Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) were caught in Imphal East’s Tellou region. Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two INSAS rifles, three self-loading rifles, and a significant stockpile of ammunition. Following the operations, all confiscated weapons and detained individuals were handed over to the Manipur Police. These coordinated efforts underline the commitment of security forces to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI