Imphal, July 25: In a major achievement, a combined team of Churachandpur police and 1st IRB seized a huge cache of sophisticated arms including a rocket launcher from one Government quarters at Tuibuong here around 6 am today.

Three men were also arrested in connection with the arms haul.

The arms seized in today's operation included two M-16 Rifles (Bearing No SER 19251 and 338558) along with three magazines; one M-13 Rocket Launcher (No 31069400197) with three rocket bombs; 136 live rounds of M-16 Rifle and four live rounds of AK 47 Rifle; 11 rounds of 9 mm pistol and one Tracker round.

This is the first time in Churachandpur district in which security forces have seized sophisticated weapon like rocket launcher from armed militants.

According to police sources, a team of police personnel headed by SP/CCpur LD Lhatoo IPS and IRB personnel rushed to Tuibuong early morning today on getting information that some armed men were in the area.

When the police team approached Tuibuong Community Hall, three persons ran out of a tea hotel on seeing the security team and into a house.

The police team immediately encircled the house, made their entry and over powered the three men inside.

On checking the house, the arms were found hidden under the bed.

The three men who were arrested along with the arms are identified as Khamzamung alias Mungpui Zou (40) s/o (L) Kamgin of Tuibuong Quarters, Lamka, who is presently residing in the quarters; Chinliankhai alias Khaipu Zou (27) s/o Ngamzagin Zou of Hiangtamzang village, Singngat sub-division; Thangdeilien Zou alias Deitong (20), said to be the younger brother of Chinliankhai.

The three men are presently detained at the Churachandpur police station and interrogation is going on.

Whether they help militant outfit or are arm dealers is not yet established.

Sources said that the arms might be kept there with the aim to attack the security forces deployed around Churachandpur and the timely seizure of the arms may have resulted in saving the lives of many people.

It may be mentioned that the security forces were frequently attacked in the recent past in and around Churachandpur with sophisticated weapons like rocket launchers.

In another development, an ASI and a constable have been put under suspension by the SP/Ccpur recently.

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