Imphal: Security forces in Manipur, including the Indian Army and Assam Rifles under the Spear Corps, conducted a series of intelligence-based joint operations across Kakching, Imphal West, Imphal East, Senapati, and Bishnupur districts between March 22-25. The operations, carried out in coordination with Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, led to the recovery of 32 weapons, ammunition, and other war-like materials, according to an official release.

On March 22, security forces in Moltinchan, Kakching district, recovered an improvised mortar, a .303 rifle, a modified carbine machine gun, two single-barrel rifles, and other ammunition. Meanwhile, in Henbung, Senapati district, four bolt-action rifles were recovered. Additional recoveries in Sagolmang, Imphal East, included two single-barrel rifles, two improvised mortars, and other war-like materials.

Operations on March 23 led to the recovery of an INSAS rifle, a .303 rifle, and a self-loading rifle (SLR) in Phaikot, Senapati district. In Imphal East, Assam Rifles seized a 2-inch mortar and a .32 mm pistol.

The following day, security personnel recovered a .22 rifle, a 12-bore double-barrel rifle, four 51mm mortars, and a 9mm pistol in Imphal East. In Bishnupur district, forces retrieved an AK-47 rifle, a 12-bore rifle, a .303 rifle, a double-barrel rifle, a modified rifle, and two improvised mortars.

All recovered items were handed over to Manipur Police for further investigation.

In addition to these recoveries, security forces conducted extensive search operations in vulnerable hill and valley areas, seizing additional arms and ammunition. Authorities recovered a 9mm pistol with a magazine, an automatic single-barrel gun, three hand grenades with detonators, multiple rifle magazines, live ammunition, a radio set, bulletproof helmets and jackets, anti-riot shells, tube launchers, and ammunition boxes in Chingkhei Ching, Imphal East.

The security forces continue to intensify operations across Manipur to prevent the movement of armed groups and maintain stability in the region.