Chandel gunfight: SFs recover AK rifles, RPG launcher
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 16 2025: In separate statements PRO Defence and IGAR (South) informed that two days after 10 militants were killed during a gunfight with security forces in Chandel district near the Indo-Myanmar border, efforts are currently underway to identify the deceased.

According to the PROs, security forces recovered 12 firearms, ammunition and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) during subsequent operations in the area.

At least 10 militants wearing "camouflage fatigues" were killed in a gunfight with an Assam Rifles unit near New Samtal village in Chandel district along the Indo-Myanmar border on Wednesday, it added.

"During subsequent comb ing operations, seven AK-47 rifles, one RPG launcher, one M4 rifle, and four single-barrel breech-loading rifles, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered," said the PROs.

According to the statement, the militants were suspected of being involved in cross-border insurgent activities.

It added, "The situation along the border remains under heightened surveillance, in coordination with civil administration and intelligence agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region".

In a post on X, the Army's Eastern Command had said, "Acting on specific intelligence on movement of armed cadres near the New Samtal village, Khengjoy tehsil, Chandel district, close to the Indo-Myanmar border, Assam Rifles unit under Spear Corps launched an operation on May 14" .

"During the operation, the troops were fired upon by suspected cadres to which they quickly reacted, redeployed and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner.

In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised and a sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered," it added.

Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles has intensified its surveillance along the India-Myanmar border in Manipur in the wake of the intensive counter-insurgency operations in Chandel district, in which ten armed militants were neutralised and a huge cache of arms and ammunition recovered.

New Samtal village is located 130 km from the state capital and has scant human habitation.

The situation along the India-Myanmar border remains under heightened surveillance, the spokesman said, adding that the security forces are maintaining a robust posture and are in coordination with civil administration and intelligence agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Wednesday's operation against the militants is one of the major counter-insurgency operations after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, between the Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities.

Mountainous Chandel district is inhabited by tribals of different ethnic groups, including Nagas.

Manipur has a 398-km-long unfenced International Border with Myanmar and the Border Road Organisation (BRO) started work last year to fence the challenging frontiers.

(With inputs from PTI) .

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