86 weapons, ammunition seized in another major recovery in Manipur

The seizure included five AK series rifles, three INSAS rifles, 16 self-loading rifles (SLRs), five .303 rifles, 19 pistols, two carbines, nine other rifles, 16 SBBL and bore action guns, two antiriot guns, one JVPC, one double-barrel gun, six bolt-action guns, and a two-inch mortar.

In addition to the firearms, the teams also recovered nine grenades, six high-explosive mortar shells, four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and 41 assorted magazines.

Ammunition seized included 526 live rounds of 7.62 mm, 226 rounds of 5.56 mm, 190 rounds of .303 mm, seven rounds of 9 mm, and four rounds of .32 mm. The forces also confiscated six wireless handsets and two tube launchers.

Miscreants looted over 6,000 weapons from state forces’ armouries since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.

The Manipur Police, in a press statement, described the operation as a major success in the ongoing effort to neutralise illegal arms networks and restore peace and security in the state. The operation underscores the close coordination among security agencies and the proactive approach being taken to prevent further violence. Police authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continuing such focused and intelligence-driven operations, it said.

This is the third significant weapon recovery in recent times. On July 4, the forces seized 203 weapons and explosives during joint search operations in the hill districts of Manipur. Before that, in another operation, 328 weapons and 8,665 assorted ammunition were recovered.