Manipur: Joint ops by Army, other forces lead to recovery of 114 arms, explosives

IMPHAL: The security forces, after the expiry of the 15-day deadline to surrender looted and illegally held arms and ammunition, further stepped up their search operations in 10 of the 16 Manipur districts and recovered 114 weapons, IEDs, grenades, various ammunition, and other warlike stores, officials said here on Saturday.

A Defence spokesman said that in a series of joint operations during the past 24 hours, the Army, Assam Rifles, various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Manipur Police recovered 114 weapons, improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, various ammunition, and other warlike stores.

The joint operations were conducted in the hill and valley districts—Bishnupur, Senapati, Thoubal, Jiribam, Chandel, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Kakching. The security forces also destroyed several bunkers in Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts.

In Nepali Basti of Bishnupur district, an operation by the Indian Army and Manipur Police resulted in the recovery of seven weapons consisting of two carbines, two pistols, two rifles, one improvised mortar, ammunition, and other warlike stores.

Similarly, in Chandel district, a search operation resulted in the recovery of 55 weapons comprising nine 12-bore single-barrel rifles, twelve muzzle-loaded rifles, one 12 mm single-bore shotgun, one single-barrel rifle, 32 improvised mortars of various calibres, four IEDs, grenades, ammunition, and other warlike stores.

In Senapati district, on receipt of information about the presence of arms and ammunition, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with Manipur Police, launched a joint operation in the general area of Taphou Kuki and recovered four weapons comprising two bolt-action single-barrel guns, one double-barrel gun, and one 12 bore single-barrel rifle. As many as 15 weapons were recovered by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police from Gothol areas in Churachandpur district.

In the mixed-populated Jiribam district, a joint operation of Assam Rifles and Manipur police in Ankhasu village resulted in the recovery of nine improvised mortars (Pompi). In Imphal East district, in the areas of Pourabi, Sawombung, and Kalika, the Indian Army and Manipur Police launched operations and recovered six weapons.

Manipur Police also arrested two cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militant outfit and recovered some arms and ammunition from them. (IANS)

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