Joint operation yields arsenal and protective equipment near Imphal
Manipur Police and the 28 Assam Rifles recovered a significant cache of weapons, explosives and protective gear in a joint search operation at the foothills of Sinam Kom village under Sagolmang police station in Imphal East, police said on Monday.
According to an official post by Manipur Police on X, the operation was launched after intelligence corroborated by the unit identified as 4 Mahar (Borders). The joint team included personnel from the Chief of Defence Officer (CDO), Imphal East, alongside the Assam Rifles unit.
The recovered material, listed by police, comprised a mix of military-pattern small arms, improvised and locally made weapons, explosives, ammunition and ballistic protection:
- Rifles and pistols: one 7.62 SLR with magazine; one 5.56 INSAS rifle with two magazines; one 9 mm pistol with magazine.
- Other firearms: one Pompi gun; one country-made lethal gun; two single-barrel guns.
- Explosives and ordinance: three No. 36 hand grenades; one MG2 mortar shell.
- Ammunition and protective gear: 45 rounds of assorted live ammunition; four bulletproof (BP) plates; eight BP jackets; two helmets.
| Category | Items recovered |
|---|---|
| Military-pattern rifles | 7.62 SLR (1), 5.56 INSAS (1) + magazines |
| Sidearms | 9 mm pistol (1) + magazine |
| Locally made firearms | Pompi gun (1), country-made gun (1), single-barrel guns (2) |
| Explosive ordinance | No. 36 hand grenades (3), MG2 mortar shell (1) |
| Ammunition & protection | 45 rounds; BP plates (4); BP jackets (8); helmets (2) |
Manipur Police described the operation as based on "reliable intelligence" corroborated by 4 Mahar (Borders), and said the effort was conducted in coordination with the CDO, Imphal East, and 28 Assam Rifles.
Context and related operation in Churachandpur
The police post also referred to a related, earlier operation. On July 23, a coordinated action by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police led to the arrest of a senior United Kuki National Army (UKNA) cadre from Molnom village in Churachandpur district.
"The cadre is a High Value Target and was involved in large-scale extortion as well as firing incidents being carried out by UKNA in the area," the release said.
The arrested individual was identified as S Palal Thadou alias Lalboi Singson, 45. Extortion notes and a mobile phone were recovered from him, the police said. The statement characterised the arrest as a major success that would contribute towards restoring peace in the region.
Police did not give details in the X post about whether any suspects were detained in the Sinam Kom search or whether the recovered cache has been linked to a specific group. Procedures for forensics, registration of cases and further investigation generally follow such recoveries, the release said.
Security operations in border and foothill areas of Imphal East and neighbouring districts have been carried out periodically by security forces in response to intelligence about caches and insurgent activity. The recovery of military-pattern weapons, explosives and ballistic protection is likely to be investigated to establish supply lines, intended operational use and any links to extortion or violence in the state.
Local residents and civic groups in Imphal have frequently urged prompt action after weapons recoveries, citing concerns about civilian safety. The police post on X framed the joint search as a step towards that objective and highlighted inter-agency cooperation in the operation.
