Imphal: Security forces recovered a massive cache of arms, ammunition, and 63 explosive items including grenades, IEDs, mortar bombs, Plastic Explosive Kirkee (PEK) packets, and tear smoke shells, during search operations carried out across Manipur’s Thoubal, Kangpokpi, Kakching, and Imphal East districts on Saturday.
A total of 178 live rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operations.
In Thoubal district, a search operation conducted at the foothills of Gwarok Mahadev under Yairipok police station led to the recovery of one SLR with magazine, one SMG Carbine with magazine, one 9 mm pistol with magazine, three No. 36 HE hand grenades, 20 rounds of .303 ammunition, 10 rounds each of 5.56×45 mm, 5.56×30 mm, and 9 mm ammunition, and three rounds of 7.62 mm. Security personnel also seized three detonators, one arming ring, two tube launchers, two helmets, 17 empty cases of 7.62×39 mm, four blank .303 cartridges, and eight empty .303 cases. Additionally, one WP Green 80 MK grenade, three anti-riot rubber bullets, and three wireless handsets were recovered.
In Kakching district, a significant recovery was made from the Nongmaikhong Makha Leikai hill range under Arong Nongmaikhong police station. The items recovered included one SMG Carbine with two magazines, one AK-47 rifle, two single-barrel guns, and one modified 9 mm pistol with two magazines. Security forces also seized three IEDs weighing approximately 2 kg each, one scope lens, one tube launcher, and one No. 36 HE grenade without detonator. Additional recoveries included six rounds of 38 mm anti-riot rubber bullets, eight wire detonators, ten PEK explosive packets weighing 125 grams each, 18 rounds of 5.56 mm, 11 rounds of 7.62 mm, and 13 rounds of .303 ammunition. The team also found 13 empty AK cases, two live AK rounds, two empty 5.56 mm cases, one empty 9 mm case, nine rounds of ballistic ammunition, three camouflage bulletproof covers without plates, four camouflage helmets, one pair of black jungle boots, one school bag, and one gunny bag.
In Kangpokpi district, from the jungle between L. Phaikot and Leilon Vaiphei under Leimakhong Police Station, security forces recovered one Pumpi gun, one SLR with magazine, one round of 7.62×51 mm ammunition, one Baofeng hand-held radio set, two small-size IEDs, two large-size IEDs weighing approximately 25 kg each, and one round of Pumpi ammunition.
In Imphal East district, a raid at Chingkhei Ching Phaknung under Lamlai Police Station led to the recovery of one INSAS light machine gun (LMG) with magazine, one INSAS rifle with magazine, two SLR rifles with magazines, one sniper rifle, and one .32 pistol with magazine. Also seized were six rounds each of 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, three rounds of .32 ammunition, 32 empty 7.62 mm SLR cases, 15 empty AK cases, 70 empty .303 cases, 21 empty 5.56 mm cases, and four empty 9 mm cases. Other recovered items included three 7.62 mm charger clips, 37 blank .303 cartridges, four tear smoke shells (soft noise), one rubber bullet, two bulletproof jackets, four bulletproof plates, and three helmets.
Another operation, conducted at Mayophung Sanasabi hill under Yaingangpokpi police station, in Imphal East distric, resulted in the recovery of one bipod-mounted .303 rifle, seven live rounds of .303 ammunition, two heavy caliber mortars, 20 mortar bombs, two Burmese IEDs, four Baofeng radio sets with chargers, one pistol with three live rounds, and 20 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. The team also seized seven No. 36 hand grenades, three O-ring grenades, five No. 8 WP grenades, one bulletproof jacket with plate, one without plate, a pouch, a helmet, and a pair of jungle shoes.
Security sources suspected that the seized items were stockpiled by armed groups for use in continued violence. Further investigation is underway.
