GUWAHATI: In a major operation against illegal weapon stockpiling, security personnel have seized a huge cache of weapons, explosives, and ammunition from five sensitive districts of Manipur.
The coordinated operation by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force (BSF), and Manipur Police was completed on Thursday, an official statement released on Friday said.
The multi-agency operation resulted in the recovery of 24 weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, and various ammunition and war-like stores. Authorities stated that the operation at the right time was important in averting the possible use of these weapons for illegal purposes in the area.
The operation took place over several days and sites. On April 3, five weapons were seized from S Mongpi Ridge in Kangpokpi district, including a.303 rifle, a 7.62 mm Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a single-barrel shotgun (SBBL), and two pistols. Ammunition and other war-like items were also recovered from the site.
In another operation in Twichin, Imphal East, eight weapons were seized, including a 12-bore single-barrel rifle and seven improvised mortars, which were a major threat to local security.
Security officials on April 2 discovered another five weapons at Sajirok, Imphal West. They had an SLR, an SBBL rifle, and three pistols. Previously, on March 31, security forces recovered 2.3 kilograms of two IEDs along with other combat materials at Kaprang, Churachandpur district.
The first of the recoveries was on March 30 at Thangjing Hill in Bishnupur district when six weapons were recovered. They included two bolt-action rifles, a pistol, and three homemade guns referred to as "Pompi."
Police have filed First Information Reports (FIRs) under appropriate provisions of the Indian Arms Act, and investigations are underway to find the origin of the weapons and the perpetrators.
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