In a major counter-insurgency success, coordinated intelligence-driven operations by the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, the Indian Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) led to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives from multiple hill districts in Manipur. The overnight operations, conducted from July 3 to the early hours of July 4, were based on actionable intelligence regarding the concealment of warlike stores in vulnerable interior areas.
The meticulously planned raids targeted suspected militant hideouts and arms dumps across Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur districts- regions that have seen recurring violence and instability in recent months.
Fragile Peace in Manipur
Manipur, a geostrategically vital border state, has been in turmoil since May 2023 due to ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis over land rights and ST status. The violence triggered mass displacement, civilian militarization, and widespread looting of armories. Governance has faced a legitimacy crisis, with allegations of bias and administrative paralysis. The proliferation of high-grade arms among non-state actors has exacerbated security concerns. Amid calls for President’s Rule and territorial bifurcation, security forces have intensified counterinsurgency operations. Recoveries like the recent arms haul are part of a broader effort to restore order, neutralize militant networks, and stabilize the region.
Extensive Seizures During Joint Operation
The latest operation resulted in the recovery of 203 weapons, including:
21 Insas rifles
11 AK-series rifles
26 Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs)
2 sniper rifles
17 .303 rifles
38 Pompi guns
A variety of other firearms such as carbines, grenade launchers, pistols, and country-made weapons
Ammunition and Explosives
Security personnel also seized significant quantities of ammunition and explosives, including:
29 rounds of 5.56 mm
80 rounds of 7.62 mm
30 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
10 grenades
9 Pompi shells
2 Lathode grenades
Intelligence-Led, Sustained Crackdown
Senior officials emphasized that these operations were based on specific and credible intelligence inputs obtained through community coordination, surveillance networks, and field informants. The security forces executed simultaneous raids in remote and densely forested areas, demonstrating high levels of coordination and tactical precision.
Officials noted that these efforts are part of a larger, ongoing strategy to identify and neutralize sources of illegal arms and suppress insurgent activity. Over the past several months, intelligence-sharing between state police and central forces has intensified, leading to several targeted recoveries and arrests.
Commitment to Peace and Public Safety
Authorities have described the latest recovery as a major step toward restoring peace and public confidence in the affected districts. The Manipur Police and other forces reiterated their commitment to ensuring law and order, safeguarding civilian lives, and dismantling militant networks.
The public has been urged to continue supporting the efforts by reporting suspicious activities, movements, or the presence of illegal weapons to local police stations or the Central Control Room. Security operations will continue in a sustained and focused manner as part of the broader objective to restore normalcy in the state.