Imphal, 24 September, 2025: An active cadre of proscribed underground outfit People Liberation Army (PLA) has been arrested as prime accused in connection with the Nambol Sabal Leikai, Bishnupur ambush on 33 Assam Rifles.
The development comes up on the fifth day after the ambush on 33 Assam Rifles killing two jawans and injuring five other jawans at Nambol Sabal Leikai.
Director general of Police, Manipur on Wednesday said the PLA cadre identified as one Khundongbam Ojit Singh alias Keilal, 47, of Awang Leikinthabi Awang Leikai, Imphal West was arrested during an operation by joint teams of district police Imphal West, Bishnupur and 33 Assam Rifles from Kameng area, Imphal West district.
He was apprehended at around 1 am on Wednesday following an specific information about the presence of armed militants in Kameng area (District Imphal West), a police statement said.
“At the spot examination, he admitted that he is a bailed-out member of PLA and was earlier arrested in April, 22, 2007.”
During examination, Ojit revealed that he was directly involved in the ambush on September 19 at Sabal Leikai, Nambol at about 5:30 pm on the 33-AR convoy. After firing at the AR personnel, he along with other persons fled towards the Loktak lake side and hid their arms and ammunition at a secret location,” said the statement.
From the revelation of the arrested PLA cadre, the combined security forces also recovered foreign made arms including one A4 rifle along with four magazines, one HK rifle along with two magazines, two AK rifle along with five magazines, one INSAS Rifle along with three magazines, three lathode shells, 170 rounds of AK ammunition, 216 rounds of M/16 ammunition, 67 rounds of INSAS ammunition, one mobile handset, one wallet and one Aadhaar card, said police.
Examination of the arrested person is continuing and certain leads have been established. Raids are being carried out to apprehend other culprits involved in the said ambush, it added.
