203 weapons, ammos recovered in hill districts
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 04 2025: In one of the largest recoveries of arms and ammunition after the conflict broke out in May 2023, and the largest ever in hill districts, Manipur Police along with Assam Rifles, Army and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) recovered 203 weapons of different types along with ammunition and explosives from various hill districts of the state between the midnight of July 3 and the morning of July 4 .

According to a press note issued by office of the DGP, the operation was conducted based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the concealment of warlike materials in multiple locations.

Total of 203 weapons recovered in Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Churachandpur

Coordinated and extensive search operations were launched simultaneously in the interior and suspected areas of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Churachandpur districts.

The joint teams recovered a total of 203 weapons, which included 21 INSAS rifles, 11 AK series rifles, 26 self-loading rifles (SLRs), two sniper rifles, three carbines, 17 .303 rifles, two 51 mm mortars, two MA assault rifles, three M79 grenade launchers, one rifle with scope, 18 breech-loaded rifles, 11 single barrel bolt-action rifles, six pistols, one point .22 rifle, two lathodes, 25 single bore guns, three country-made pistols, four muzzle-loaded rifles, six additional single bore guns and 38 pump action guns locally known as "pompi" .

An additional lathode was also listed among the recovered weapons.

In addition to the firearms, the search teams recovered various types of ammunition and explosives including 29 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, 80 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 30 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 hand grenades, nine pompi shells and two lathode grenades.

The DGP's office termed the operation as a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy and maintain public order in the state, while noting that the recovery of such a large quantity of weapons and explosives underlines the commitment of the security forces to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and their properties.

Senior police officials remain in close coordination with all security stakeholders, the statement added, and affirmed that such operations will continue in a focused and sustained manner across the state.

Manipur Police reiterated their dedication to fostering peace and stability, while urging the public to extend full cooperation by reporting any suspicious activities or information related to illegal arms to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room.

In another operation, a joint team of district police, 19 Garhwal Rifles, 58 CRPF and 70 BSF carried out search at Chakmual village from 7 am to 9 am Friday, leading to the seizure of one locally-made single-barrel rifle with a magazine, five live bolt cartridges, a tear smoke munition explosive and two 7.62 mm rounds.

In another operation on Thursday at Maovom village, Churachandpur district police along with 2 JAKLI, G-167 BSF and 129 CRPF recovered one country-made AK rifle with a magazine, a lathode gun, four pistols, three single-barrel rifles, a sten carbine, four pompi, assorted ammunition, a bulletproof jacket, helmet, and a wireless set which were found hidden in forested areas near the village.

In an earlier major operation, joint teams of Manipur Police and other security forces recovered 328 weapons during simultaneous raids conducted across five valley districts on the intervening night of June 13 and 14 .

Described as one of the largest hauls since the ethnic violence between the Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in May 2023, the seized cache included 151 self-loading rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 12 light machine guns, six AK-series rifles, two flare guns, a mortar and 73 other firearms.

A large quantity of ammunition was also recovered during the operation.

On February 27, the last day of the deadline set by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for surrendering weapons looted from the state's armouries during the conflict, Arambai Tenggol surrendered 246 weapons at the 1st MR complex in Imphal West.