Report of 900 strong terrorist from Myanmar entering Manipur shared to Security chiefs: Security Advisor Kuldiep

Imphal: The intelligence report that 900 trained armed militants from Myanmar have entered into Indian territory in Manipur have been shared to security chiefs, said Security Advisor to Manipur Government, Kuldiep Singh.

Combined forces of state and central security have been alerted in strategic areas including border areas, the Security Advisor said in a press conference held at the chief minister’s secretariat on Friday.

On Tuesday, a letter from the chief minister addressed to the DGP Manipur, Security Advisor, and Home Commissioner surfaced on social media. The letter mentioned the report of over 900 Kuki militants, newly trained in the use of drone-based bombs, projectiles, missiles, and jungle warfare, who have entered Manipur from Myanmar. “These militants are organized in groups of 30 and are currently scattered in peripheral areas. They are expected to launch multiple coordinated attacks on Meitei villages around September 28.”

The viral official letter, which has caused significant tension among the general public, was confirmed not a fake by the security advisor.

“A Strategic Operation Group (SOG) meeting was conducted on September 18 and discussed the deployment of security forces in key areas of Manipur,” Kuldiep said.

He chaired the meeting attended by the Chief of Assam Rifles (IGAR-South, IGAR-East), GOC 57 Mountain Division, Chief of BSF, DGP Manipur, Home commissioner, DG of CRPF Manipur, and other senior security officers.

Security forces have been put on alert in various districts, including Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Chandel, and others, he added.

Earlier, search operations were primarily focused on the seizure of arms and ammunition. Following this new intelligence report, security forces have also been directed to look for suspects, raw materials for explosives, drones, rocket parts, pipes, or bombs, Kuldiep said.

The transportation of rockets is also being monitored. These rockets require small vehicles for transportation as each rocket weighs around 25-30 kg, he added.

“Respective DCs have been alerted, and road construction, including railway tunnel areas, is being checked for explosives.”

A total of 468 bunkers have been destroyed since the violence erupted. With the deployment of anti-drone weapons, 15-17 drones have been jammed, the security advisor said.

A total of around 533 individuals have been arrested, including some who attacked the CM’s convoy along NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam). Among the 6,000 arms looted, a total of 2,681 weapons have been seized and recovered. However, of the recovered weapons, 1,200 were looted ones, while 1,400 were non-looted weapons. Out of the 1,400 weapons, 800 are sophisticated, he added.

Tree exploded rockets and one unfired rocket were among the seized weapons, and security forces are still searching for the manufacturing source, he said.

A Mynmar intruder from Khampat, Myanmar, was apprehended by Assam Rifles from Kachibung village in Chandel district on September 9. “It is not yet confirmed if he is a cadre of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B),” the security advisor said.