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IMPHAL — Security forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including “large rockets” during search operations and area domination conducted in fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of Manipur, police said.
“One rocket (approx. 5.5ft), one rocket (approx. 3ft), one large size country-made mortar, two medium size country-made mortars, four mortar bombs (country-made), two pistols with magazine, 9 live ammunition rounds, one single-barrel rifle, explosives grade-2 (6.3kg), cortex 17 metre, fuse 9 metre, were recovered by Manipur Police and Army from Moavom in Manipur’s Churachandpur District,” according to a press note issued on late Saturday night.
Four improvised heavy mortars (Pumpi), three 12-bore RDS, three improvised mortar bombs were also recovered by a team of Manipur Police, ITBP and Assam Rifles from Moljol village, also in Churachandpur District, the police press note informed.
On the other hand, Manipur Police recovered two MP5-A3 machine pistols with two magazines, one INSAS Excalibur rifle with magazine and 37 live ammunition rounds from Khongnangpokpi hill range in Imphal West district, it added.
Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. During the search operations the following items were recovered:
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 22, 2024
iv.02 (two) MP5-A3 Machine Pistol with 02 (two) magazines, 01 (one) INSAS… pic.twitter.com/MximKl62HH
Similarly, a combined team of Manipur Police and Army also recovered two 9 mm SMG carbines with magazine, one 12-bore single-barrel gun, one 9 mm pistol with magazine, one .32 pistol with magazine, five HE-36 hand grenades, four arming ring, two tube launching, 11 live ammunition rounds, one detonator, two BP iron plate, one BP jacket, one tear-smoke grenade, two stun shells, one tear smoke shell and one walkie-talkie set, during an operation conducted at Fungei Ching in Thoubal district.
“Movement of 307 and 56 vehicles along NH 2 and NH 37 respectively with essential items have been ensured,” the press note further added. “Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and a security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.”
On Friday, the state’s security advisor Kuldiep Singh had informed that out of 2681 weapons recovered so far, around 1200 were looted arms and 1400 non-looted weapons; 800 were sophisticated weapons and 600 single-double barrel type weapons.
Manipur has been witnessing another cycle of violence after a rally turned violent in May last year. So far, more than 220 people have lost their lives while over 50,000 people have been internally displaced. Most of the displaced people are staying in relief camps in the state.