New Delhi, July 5
In a major crackdown on illegal arms circulation, Manipur police and security forces recovered a massive cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
The intelligence-led operations were conducted between midnight of July 3 and the morning of July 4 across Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Churachandpur districts.
Director General of Police, Manipur stated that the operations were carried out jointly by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, the Indian Army, and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The raids followed specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of warlike materials in interior forested location.
The forces recovered 203 firearms of various calibres and a significant quantity of ammunition and explosives. Among the weapons seized were 21 INSAS rifles, 11 AK-series rifles, 26 self-loading rifles (SLRs), 2 sniper rifles, 3 carbines, 17 .303 rifles, 2 mortars, 3 M79 grenade launchers, and 31 single-bore guns. The cache also included 38 pump-action guns, 4 muzzle-loaded rifles, and a number of locally made pistols and rifles.
They also seized 29 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, 80 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 30 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 hand grenades, 9 Pompi shells, and 2 lathode grenades, DGP added.
According to the police, the arms were likely stockpiled by various armed groups operating in the hill regions and could have been used to destabilize the area further.
They also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information related to illegal arms to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room.
