Imphal, May 22: In a significant security operation, Manipur police and central security forces have recovered 67 weapons, including 27 AK-series rifles and 11 American-made rifles, in the past 24 hours. Additionally, a large quantity of ammunition and explosives was also seized.
Authorities reported that four militants from the United National Liberation Front-Pambei faction were arrested during the operation. A senior police officer stated that a special operation was launched in the Lamdeng area after receiving information about the illegal sale of stolen weapons and ammunition.
During this operation, two active militants, Heshonam Thomas Singh (29) and Arambam Tomtom Singh (29), were apprehended. They were found in possession of an INSAS rifle, a light machine gun, three magazines, and 14 live cartridges.
The police indicated that during the arrests, the militants’ associates opened fire on security forces, resulting in a brief exchange of gunfire. Subsequently, two more active militants, Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh, were arrested on charges of involvement in the shooting.
During interrogation, the arrested militants revealed that they were directed by self-styled Lance Corporal Naorem Bijoy, alias Macha, of the UNLF to sell the weapons. They admitted to prior involvement in illegal arms sales.
Following this, a joint team of Manipur police, Assam Rifles, and CRPF conducted a search operation at an illegal UNLF camp in Lamdeng, where they seized 29 weapons, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, pistols, and other modern firearms.
In another operation on Thursday, security forces recovered 38 more weapons, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, a sniper rifle, carbines, shotguns, mortars, an RPG-7 launcher, an anti-drone jammer, and a substantial amount of explosives and ammunition.
The police have urged the public to report any information regarding stolen or illegally held weapons to the nearest police station or security agencies.
The UNLF-Pambei had signed a peace agreement with the central government in 2023, promising to renounce violence. However, members of the organization have continued to be caught engaging in illegal arms trade and other unlawful activities.
Meanwhile, security forces also conducted a separate operation near the Moreh police station area along the India-Myanmar border, recovering weapons and ammunition, including a self-loading rifle, nine 9mm pistols, four radio sets, a radio charger, and four IEDs, which were subsequently destroyed on-site.
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