Security forces seize 86 weapons, 974 rounds in fresh crackdown across Manipur valley

Imphal, July 15: Security forces recovered 86 firearms, 974 rounds of ammunition and a cache of explosives during coordinated search operations across Manipur’s five valley districts on Tuesday, marking the third major arms haul in the state in just over a month.

The operations, conducted jointly by the Manipur Police, Army, Assam Rifles and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the ongoing #DisarmForPeace campaign, targeted Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts.

In Imphal West, a joint team of the Manipur Police and 33 Assam Rifles recovered a concealed cache of arms and ammunition from Ishok Mamang Leikai, near Loktak Lake under Wangoi Police Station, following specific intelligence inputs.

Addressing the media, IGP (Zone-II) K. Kabib said the valley-wide operation led to the seizure of five AK-series rifles, three INSAS rifles, 16 Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), five .303 rifles, 19 pistols, two carbines, nine other rifles and 16 single-barrel guns.

Security forces also recovered 974 rounds of ammunition, grenades, mortar shells, explosives, 41 magazines and six wireless handsets. Officials did not release a district-wise break-up of the recoveries but confirmed that the Imphal West seizure formed part of the overall haul.

Describing the operation as a major success, Kabib said the recoveries would help curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and strengthen efforts to restore peace and public order in the conflict-hit state.

He appealed to the public to cooperate with security agencies and report information on illegal arms to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room.

The latest operation follows two other major crackdowns in recent weeks. On July 4, security forces recovered 203 weapons from the hill districts, while on June 14, another 328 firearms and around 9,300 rounds of ammunition were seized from the five valley districts.

Officials said the recovered weapons have been taken into custody and further investigations are underway to trace their origin and identify those linked to the illegal arms network.

Also read: Assam to roll out SOP on human-elephant conflict, monkey menace

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