Major arms haul after week long raids by forces amidst fresh violence in Manipur

In a breakthrough, multiple raids by Secutity Forces led to seizures of arms and ammunition from different parts of trouble torn Manipur in the past three days, read a statement issued by Assam Rifles. This came at a time when fresh incidents of violence have rocked Jiribam district, also spreading to the border areas between Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts in the past 4 days.

Arms and ammunitions have been seized from Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tegnoupal, Churachandpur and Kakching districts. In a joint operation Assam Rifles along with Manipur police, on Saturday at L Khonomphai village jungle in Churachandpur, seized one .303 rifle, two 9 mm pistols, six 12 single barrel rifle, one .22 rifle, ammunition and other war-like stores, the statement said. In a separate raid in Churachandpur, forces recovered homemade weapons, including rockets, mortars from a house near Thanjing ridge.

Similarly in another joint operation on Saturday one 5.56mm INSAS Rifle, one point 303 rifle, two SBBL guns, two 0.22 pistols, two improvised projectile launchers, grenades, ammunition were seized between S Choungoubung and the Maohing in Kangpokpi district.

Acting on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police on November 4 recovered two large Pompi guns, grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ammunition, and other military-grade items after raiding a storeroom in Samukom Village, Tengnoupal District.

In the past 7 days multiple raids were also conducted in the valley regions. In Bishnupur, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police seized a range of arms, including an SLR rifle, a .303 rifle, and grenades from a storehouse at Uyok area. A coordinated search was launched on November 8 at Thingom area in Imphal West leading to seizure of a 9mm carbine machine gun, a grenade launcher, a 9mm pistol, and further ammunition. On November 10, a joint team of Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and BSF conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Utangpokpi, Kakching District that led to the recovery of a .22 rifle and additional ammunition. The seized items have been handed over to Manipur Police. "The successful recovery of these warlike stores highlights the seamless cooperation between the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and other law enforcement agencies”, the statement read.

In the past one week at least two women have been killed in two separate incidents- one in Bishnupur and another in Jiribam. The husband of the Jiribam deceased has alleged that the woman was raped and then set ablaze. Meanwhile, on Monday at least 10 suspected armed militants were gunned down in an encounter in Jiribam. One CRPF constable too had sustained bullet injuries. The encounter was in retaliation after a massive operation was launched following the attack at a CRPF camp in Jiribam on Monday afternoon, at around 3.30 pm by militants.​