Ammunition of machine gun sans gun seized
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2023:
A huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from different places of Imphal East and Churachandpur districts today including ammunition of machine gun.
A combined team of Churachandpur district police, Assam Rifles and BSF personnel carried out a massive search operation at Old Dampi village, Churachandpur district and recovered many arms and ammunition today morning.
The combined team led by IGP Zone II, Manipur Police recovered one 9 mm pistol, one local made single barrel gun, 21 live rounds of heavy calibre machine gun, 12 mm bore with live rounds, one 10-feet long country made improvised long range heavy mortar, one country made improvised bomb, one rocket propelled grenade and one set of combat dress, sources informed.
There is however no report of any heavy calibre machine gun being seized.
In another cordon and search operation carried out by a combined team of Imphal East district police, commandos and 2/8 GR at Yaingangpokpi hill range between Nungsum village and H Khopibung Kuki village, a large number of arms and ammunition were recovered.
The search operation carried out under the supervision of IGP Zone-I Themthing Ngasangva was led by Imphal East SP Dr S Ibomcha.
One 303 rifle with magazine, one AK assault rifle without magazine, two SMG carbines with one magazine each, one SMG with empty magazine, two 9 mm pistols with one magazine each, two wireless sets, two tube launchers, eleven hand grenades, one smoke grenade, seven mortar shells, three INSAS rifles with empty magazines, one empty magazine of INSAS LMG, seven pairs of jungle boots, 62 number of assorted ammunition, 42 number of blank cartridges, one country made bomb launcher (pompi), three combat uniforms, two shirts, two T-shirts, one jacket and five bullet proof jackets were recovered in the search operation.
Around 80 houses were searched and the residents were verified in the course of the search operation, said the sources.
The recovered items have been handed over to Sagolmang police station, the sources added.
Meanwhile a press release issued by the Police Control Room informed that a man abducted by unknown miscreants from Ithai, Bishnupur was rescued by Bishnupur district police yesterday.
The rescued man is identified as one Athokpam Basanta (55) son of A Iboyaima of Ithai Khunou.
It is not clear from where he was rescued.
Apart from rescuing the abducted man, police recovered one SLR, 10 rounds of ammunition, one tear gas gun, seven munition shells and two smart phones allegedly used by the miscreants.
Combined teams of State and Central security forces conducted search operations at Phubala, Kumbi Thingel Leikai, Saiton Heikon, Moirang Khunou Mayai Leikai in Bishnupur district, Kasturi crossing, Thangal Keithel, Moidangpok Khunjao in Imphal West district, Langmeithek, Tentha Khunou, Tejpur Mayai Leikai, Likla Kambong village, Kiyam Litanpok area in Thoubal district, Pallel Maning Leikai, opposite Pioneer English School and adjoining areas, Bijoypur Mamang and Maning Leikai in Kakching district.
More than 600 houses were searched and over 1400 persons were verified but there was no report of any arrest.
Joint operations were also conducted in Vajing and adjoining areas, Khoinui village, Tollen village and adjoining areas in Churachandpur district.
Around 150 houses were searched and around 200 persons were verified in the course of the search operations.