Security Forces Seize AK-Series Rifles, Grenades and Bulletproof Gear in Manipur
Joint operations by Manipur Police, CRPF, Assam Rifles and other security units between October 26 and 28 resulted in multiple weapons recoveries, the seizure of ammunition and protective equipment, and the arrest of a 23-year-old man in Churachandpur.
IMPHAL- Security forces recovered a substantial quantity of firearms, explosives, ammunition and protective equipment during a series of intelligence-based joint operations across Imphal East, Thoubal and Churachandpur districts between October 26 and 28, according to statements issued by Manipur Police.
The operations involved various units of Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles. In a separate operation in Churachandpur, security personnel arrested a 23-year-old man and seized approximately 1.027 kg of suspected brown sugar, along with firearms and ammunition.
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Major weapons recovery in Imphal East
On October 26, a joint team comprising the Manipur and Nagaland Sector Quick Action Team (QAT), Range Imphal QAT of the CRPF and the Commando Unit of Imphal East conducted an intelligence-based operation at the foothills of Bongbal Khollen in Imphal East district.
According to Manipur Police, the operation resulted in the recovery of an A1 rifle with a magazine, a .303 light machine gun, a 9 mm pistol, two 12-bore double-barrel guns, three single-barrel guns and a locally manufactured 9 mm pistol with a magazine.
The seized items also included three No. 36 hand grenades without detonators, one Chinese hand grenade, one MG-2 rifle grenade, one Pompi shell, four wireless radio sets with a charger and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.
Police said the recovered items were handed over to Thoubal Dam Police Station for further action.
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One arrested in Churachandpur operation
In a separate operation on the night of October 26, a joint team comprising Churachandpur District Police, the 129th Battalion of the CRPF and 5 Assam Rifles conducted an intelligence-based search at Kingkin village near M. Songgel in Churachandpur district.
During the operation, security personnel intercepted a suspicious white Bolero vehicle. A search reportedly led to the recovery of one foreign-made AK-series rifle, one foreign-made MA1 rifle, 240 rounds of assorted ammunition and two transparent plastic packets containing approximately 1.027 kg of suspected brown sugar.
The police identified the arrested person as Letkhothang Khongsai, 23, a resident of D. Lhangjol village.
According to the police statement, preliminary questioning indicated that Khongsai had disclosed an association with the KNF (MC), a group under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement. The firearms, ammunition, vehicle and suspected contraband were also seized.
The alleged affiliation and the circumstances surrounding the recovery remain matters for further investigation.
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Sophisticated weapons and protective equipment recovered
Further recoveries were reported on October 28 in the Pukhao Terapur area of Imphal East district.
Manipur Police said a joint operation by the Special Commando Unit of Manipur Police and 33 Assam Rifles led to the recovery of four sophisticated pistols of different calibres with magazines, one lathode launcher, four single-barrel guns and six hand grenades.
The seizure also included 69 assorted rounds of ammunition and other items, including 17 iron bulletproof plates, 22 Kevlar helmets, grenade detonators and arm rings.
The recovery of protective equipment alongside firearms and explosives adds another dimension to the ongoing security operations, although the police statement does not establish who owned or intended to use the seized materials.
Separate recovery in Thoubal
In another operation on October 28, Thoubal Police Commandos and 33 Assam Rifles conducted a joint search in the general area of Ikop Pat in Thoubal district.
According to Manipur Police, the team recovered two submachine-gun carbines, four double- or single-barrel guns, three pistols, four hand grenades, two detonators, 39 rounds of assorted live ammunition and assorted magazines.
The operation formed part of the wider series of searches conducted by security personnel across the state during the three-day period.
Investigation and security implications
The recoveries across the three districts underline the continuing efforts of Manipur Police and central security forces to locate and seize illegal or unauthorised weapons, ammunition and explosive materials.
The range of items recovered—from conventional firearms and submachine-gun carbines to grenades, detonators, communications equipment and protective gear—makes the seizures significant from a security perspective.
However, the available police statements do not establish that all the recovered weapons belonged to a single organisation or were connected to one coordinated network. Further investigation will be necessary to determine their ownership, origin and intended use.
The arrest in Churachandpur also brings a suspected narcotics seizure into the investigation. Authorities have not provided further details in the supplied statements about the source or destination of the suspected brown sugar.
The investigations into the recoveries and the arrested individual are continuing, according to the information provided by Manipur Police.
