Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 14 2009:
In what can be described as the largest ever haul in a single day/operation in the State security forces have recovered three wireless (Kenwood) sets, 30 lethod bombs and thousands of ammunition of M-16 and AK series rifles.
speaking to newspersons at the Imphal West commando complex this evening, police commando officials said based on intelligence input regarding some militant organisations planning to lay an ambush against security personnel at Arong Nongmaikhong area of thoubal district, a combined team of Imphal West police commandos and a column of 26 Assam Rifles moved in towards a specific location.
The combined security team under the supervision of Additional SP (IW) proceeded to Arong Nongmaikhong at about 3 am today to foil attempt of the UGs and subsequently begun cordoning off the entire area.
Conveying that while Arong Nongmaikhong area was being encircled the UGs managed to escape taking advantage of the marshy land and thick grass/bush, the Cdo officials said on search of the area the wireless sets, lethod bombs along with 1200 rounds of M-16 and 2500 rounds of AK 56 rifles were recovered from a large bamboo grove on the bank of Arong Turel.
Some unidentified persons, suspected to be UG cadres waiting to strike at security force personnel reportedly fled on seeing the securitymen close in to the area.
Describing the haul as a big achievement of security personnel in foiling sabotage plans of the UGs, the Cdo officials also wryly remarked that due to recovery of the huge number of ammunition the weapons in possession of the UG cadres have been virtually rendered useless.
Commanding Officer of 26 AR Col Gaurav Chaturvedi was also present during the media briefing.
Meanwhile, a PIB (DW) statement said in the operation jointly launched by troops of 57 Mountain Division and Imphal West police commandos at loktak Pat area led to the recovery of 6000 AK 47 rounds, 2000 M-16 rounds, three HHRS (Kenwood) and 47 lathode grenades.
The huge cache of ammunition was found in two buried sacks in the course of intense search operation that covered Khordak, Nongmaikhong and Laphupat areas.