Imphal: In one of the largest coordinated security crackdowns in recent months, a joint team of security forces recovered 90 illegal firearms and a significant cache of ammunition and explosives during simultaneous operations across five districts of Manipur’s Imphal Valley on Saturday.
According to an official statement from Manipur Police, the raids were launched following specific intelligence inputs and were carried out across Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts.
The operations were jointly conducted by personnel from the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Army, and Assam Rifles.
Among the recovered arms were three AK-series rifles, one M16 rifle, five INSAS rifles, one INSAS Light Machine Gun, four self-loading rifles (SLRs), 20 pistols, four carbines, seven .303 rifles, and eight other types of firearms.
In addition, 728 rounds of ammunition were seized along with 21 grenades, six improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 21 magazines, and 24 wireless communication sets.
Manipur Police, in their appeal to the public, urged citizens to remain vigilant and extend cooperation by reporting suspicious activities or information regarding illegal weapons to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room.
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Senior police officials confirmed ongoing coordination with all security agencies to ensure such targeted operations continue in a focused and sustained manner to restore peace and protect civilian lives and property.
Manipur has remained on edge since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki community from the surrounding hill districts. The conflict has so far claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands.
