The Indian Army, along with the Manipur Police, recovered two unfired rockets and explosives in a combined operation on Saturday. The two locally fabricated rockets, along with other illegal arms, explosives, and war-like stores, were recovered from the Churachandpur district and the fringe areas of Thoubal and Imphal East districts.
This development follows an alert issued by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh on Friday, instructing security forces to remain vigilant in fringe areas after the state government received intelligence about the entry of over 900 armed and trained Kuki militants from Myanmar into Manipur.
In its statement, the Indian Army said, “These operations underscore the Indian Army’s ongoing peace efforts in the region, with the demilitarization of the local population as a primary objective.”
During the joint operation in the heavily forested upper area of Thangjing Ridge, Churachandpur district, two 9 mm pistols, two pistol magazines, a single-barrel rifle, two locally fabricated rockets (measuring 5.5 feet and 3 feet, respectively), a modified long-range mortar, two modified medium-range mortars, four mortar bombs, nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, 6.2 kilogram of Grade Two explosives, and other war-like stores were recovered.
On September 6, a long-range rocket attack by Kuki militants targeted the residence of former Chief Minister of Manipur, Mairenbam Koireng in Moirang, Bishnnupur district. The rocket was fired from near the foothills of Thangjing Ridge hill range in Churachandpur district, resulting in the death of a 72-year-old man and the injury of five individuals.
In a separate combined operation at Changbi village, located in the fringe areas of Thoubal and Imphal East districts, the team, acting on intelligence, recovered two carbine machine guns, two pistols, a single-barrel gun, nine hand grenades, eleven rounds of small arms ammunition, and other war-like stores.
All recovered items have been handed over to the Manipur Police.
The Indian Army’s statement further noted, “The successful recovery of these arms and explosives highlights the seamless coordination between the Indian Army and local law enforcement agencies, reflecting their shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the region.”
Meanwhile, two unexploded lethod bombs discovered in a creek between L Phaijang, Haraothel, and the forest area under Leimakhong Police Station in Kangpokpi district were safely disposed of by a team of BDS CID (Treck) on Saturday at around 3.38 pm.
According to police, the bombs were found by a D-158 CRPF team on September 3 during an area domination operation.
