Militants hideout unearthed, arms seized

IMPHAL: A joint team of police commandos and central paramilitary forces unearthed a militant hideout and seized a large number of sophisticated arms in interior Thoubal district of Manipur, police said today.

Commandos attached to Thoubal police station and personnel of 22nd battalion of Assam Rifles launched a massive search operation at Khoidum lake area in the district following reports of movement of militants.

They busted a hideout of militants in the area last evening, they said, adding that the militants fled before the forces reached the spot.

Sources said the forces seized one lethod gun, one AK 56 rifle, one M 16 rifle, several explosive materials including about 100 detonators, over 10 magazines of different weapons, several rounds of ammunitions of different rifles and one radio set.

Search was continuing in the area and attempts were being made to track down the militants.

Meanwhile, commandos attached to Imphal West district police station yesterday arrested three militants of Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL) Sagolband in the district.

They were identified as Thangjam Basanta (46), Haobam Sunil (52) and Tongbram Gitkumar (44), they said, adding that they have been handed over to the police station for further interrogation.