Security forces recover arms, ammunition in Manipur

Joint columns of security forces, comprising the Indian Army, Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF and IRB, have launched a series of operations in Manipur over the last month and recovered 18 automatic weapons, 1,085 bombs, 14 improvised mortars/ rocket launchers, 6 rifles, pistols, a mortar, 530 assorted ammunition and 132 other war-like stores.

Spokesperson for the ministry of defence, Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh, Amit Shukla, stated that joint columns of security forces have been involved in combing operations in Sagolmang of Imphal East in Manipur.

In the last one month, the security forces have conducted three major successful operations in Khamenlok-Gwalthabi, Wakan and Shantipur ridges. All the recovered weapons, ammunition and stores were handed over to the police. He said Khamenlok-Gwalthabi, Wakan and Shantipur ridges separate the different villages of the two warring communities in Imphal East. Intelligence reports indicated the build-up of weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores by both the communities on either side of the ridges. On receiving intelligence inputs, the security forced carried out surveillance and launched multiple search operations.


"The relentless efforts of the security forces, including the Indian Army, in carrying out combing operations in Manipur has aided in assuring the population of an early return of peace and normalcy in Manipur," he said.

On October 9, security advisor to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh said that of the 5,669 arms looted, 1,344 have been recovered till last month. Around 1,249 of these are sophisticated weapons while 95 were country-made weapons.

Arms have been looted from armoury across Manipur after the violence broke out on May 3.