Imphal: In a crackdown on insurgent activity, Manipur police on Thursday arrested three militants linked to banned outfits across different parts of Imphal East district.

According to police, Oinam Rabichandra Singh (33), a member of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (SOREPA), was apprehended in Sawombung. Another insurgent from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was nabbed on Ngariyan Yairipok Road in the Andro police station area. He was allegedly involved in extortion and in the transport of arms and ammunition.

In a separate operation, Md Israk Khan of the Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) was arrested from Kairang village.

Security forces also carried out extensive searches in Imphal East and Churachandpur districts, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and explosives. The seized items included a 9mm submachine gun with three magazines, a double-barrel gun, a .32 pistol with three cartridges, four hand grenades, 10 detonators, two MK12T explosives, a radio set, and a vehicular microphone, all recovered from Pukhao Ahallup in Imphal East.

In Churachandpur’s Siden Bowel area, a .22 rifle with an empty magazine, a single-barrel gun, and two locally made mortars were found.

Meanwhile, security forces dismantled two bunkers near the foothills of Chandrakhong in neighbouring Thoubal district on Wednesday as part of an ongoing counter-insurgency effort.

Police said investigations are ongoing, and further operations are expected in the coming days.