Huge cache of arms seized; 4 held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2026: A combined team of security forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition and arrested four cadres of Pambei led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) yesterday and early this morning.

The announcement was made by Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta during a press conference held at the Imphal West SP Conference Hall today in the presence of Imphal East SP Shivanand Surve and CO of 31 Assam Rifles Dushyant Singh Lamba.

Briefing the media, Shivakanta said that the combined team received credible information about the sale of looted arms and ammunition in Lamshang area.

Huge cache of arms seized; 4 held

Acting on this intelligence, personnel of Imphal West and Imphal East police assisted by CRPF, and Assam Rifles launched a special operation yesterday afternoon at Lamdeng under Lamshang police station in Imphal West, the SP said.

He added that two active cadres of Pambei led UNLF viz Heisnam Thomas (29) of Mayang Imphal and Arambam Tomtom (29) of Lamshang Heibongpokpi Mayai Leikai were apprehended along with one LMG Insas, three magazines, and 14 live rounds of ammunition during the operation.

Saying that associates of the two cadres opened fire on security personnel while the arrests were in progress and it resulted in a brief exchange of gunfire, Shivakanta informed that two more cadres of Pambei led UNLF identified as Ningthoujam Rakesh and Chingakham Mahesh, allegedly involved in the attack, were also apprehended subsequently.

According to the SP, the arrested cadres revealed that they had come to sell the seized weapons on instructions from self-styled lance corporal Naorem Bijoy @ Macha during preliminary interrogation.

They also admitted to involvement in previous sales of looted arms and ammunition, the police officer said.

Following the interrogation, the combined team conducted a cordon and search operation at an unauthorized camp of Pambei led UNLF at Lamdeng and recovered a large cache of arms and war-like stores - 16 AK-series assault rifles, four 9mm pistols, three M21 rifles, one MP4 rifle, four M16 rifles and one .22 rifle, he said.

Additionally, during a follow-up operation this morning, the team recovered 38 more weapons and heavy stores, including 11 AK-series assault rifles, three M-series rifles, one sniper rifle, one carbine, one gas gun, one air gun, nine single-barrel shotguns, two pump-action single barrels, four double barrels, two single barrels, two 3-inch mortars, one RPG-7, an anti-drone jammer, explosive items and other incriminating items, he added.

The SP urged the public to immediately report any information regarding looted or illegally possessed weapons to the nearest police station, emphasising that public cooperation is vital for maintaining peace, safety, and security.

Following the briefing, the recovered arms and ammunition were displayed for the media.