Imphal, December 23 2008: 26 Sector AR under Hqs IG AR (S) has claimed to have thwarted nefarious designs of militants by intercepting a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from various parts of Chandel district.

Briefing media persons at Pallel today, Commander of 26 Sector AR Brig Balbir Singh said that militants have been planning to transport arms and ammunition with a view to carry out large scale seditious activities in the valley, prior to elections.

But the militants design has been foiled with the seizure of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.

The seized arms and ammunition were also displayed before the media persons.

Detailing seizure of arms in the last one month, Brig Balbir informed that troops of 44 AR recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from three different places of a drain at Samtal Salient close to IB on December 12.The arms and ammunition found well camouflaged with blankets and thick polythene sheets included one G-3 rifle with one magazine and 10 rounds, 302 rounds of AK ammunition, 39 rounds of .32 ammunition, 10 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, one live and one fired case of lathode, five detonators, one RS Kenwood with two antennas and 3 kgs of explosive slab.

Again on December 21, troops of 8 AR and 20 AR thwarted another attempt of militants to smuggle arms and ammunition to Imphal valley.

Troops of 8 AR recovered a well concealed consignment of arms and ammunition in the proximity of New Chajol village, Sajik Tampak, Brig Balbir said.

The recovered items included one M-16 with four magazines and 32 live rounds, one AK LMG with one magazine (drum type) and 65 rounds, one 9 mm pistol with one magazine and six rounds, one country made AK with one magazine with 11 rounds, 2 grenades and one Kenwood Tac phone.

On the same day (December 21), one Tata DI (MN 01K 4371) tried to skirt the check post at Bongyang.

When the driver was asked to stop, the driver sped up instead and tried to flee.

When troops of 20 AR stopped the vehicle, the driver and the co-driver tried to flee abandoning the vehicle.

But they were overpowered and held.

Both the driver and codriver were found possessing two Chinese grenades each, the Commander said.

Further, on searching the vehicle, a large number of arms and ammunition were found concealed in a false carriage fabricated below the vehicle body and above rear axle.

The arms and ammunition found hidden in the vehicle included one RPG, 11 RPG bombs, 10 charger for RPG bombs, 11 Chinese grenades (including four found in possession of the driver and co-driver), 38 lathode bombs, 2035 rounds of assorted ammunition, 1960 rounds of 5.56 ammunition (with Royal Thai Army Plant mkt lot no MN 193 RTA), 75 rounds of 12 Bore ammunition, two empty cases of AK magazines and 14 empty cases of M-16 magazines.

Brig Balbir also conveyed about the apprehended driver and co-driver revealing themselves as active cadres of UNLF.

They were no 453 Sgt Maj Laishakam Pathoi Singh (31) of Thoubal and S/S Cpl Akoijam Ibomacha Singh (28) of Thoubal.

On being interrogated, the two reportedly disclosed that they were taking arms and ammunition to Imphal valley from Myanmar.

Claiming that the seizure of such huge quantity of arms and ammunition has dealt a severe blow to the nefarious design of militants, Brig Balbir noted that it was the first time such huge seizure of arms and ammunition were made in Chandel district.

Claiming that 26 Sector AR is also committed to the development of Chandel district in addition to active counter insurgency operations, Brig Balbir said that the next phase of operation will concentrate on civil projects in interior areas of the district under MCA programme.

Informing that State police have been stationed at Old Somtal, Joupi and Khengjoy, Brig Balbir said that the police personnel are now able to move around in interior areas.

Talking about Suspension of Operation pact, the 26 Sector AR Commander observed that it was a positive step.

The pact is a part of the peace process.

Nevertheless, necessary actions will be initiated if any group under SoO pact harms innocent people.

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