In a major operation, combined teams of State and Central Forces have successfully recovered a significant cache of arms, ammunition, explosives, and warlike stores from various locations across the hill and valley districts of Manipur over the past 24 hours. Acting on reliable intelligence about the movement of armed miscreants, the forces carried out joint search operations and area domination in both vulnerable and fringe areas, leading to the discovery of a large quantity of weaponry and war supplies.

During a search operation in the western foothills of Chingkhei Ching, under Porompat Police Station in Imphal East District, the forces recovered an assortment of weaponry and ammunition. Among the items found were a 7.62 SLR rifle with a magazine, two 12-bore SBBL guns, a 7.65 mm pistol with a magazine, three No. 36 HE hand grenades (without detonators), two stunt shells, four tear gas canisters, and several rounds of live ammunition, including .303, 5.56, and .32 calibers. Additionally, the team recovered two BP jackets, four BP plates, two helmets, and an arming ring.

In a separate operation on the Khongnaobi Canal road, located between Lairenkabi and Sanjenbam villages in Imphal West District, security forces uncovered even more substantial weaponry. The recovered items included one AK rifle with a magazine, one SLR with a magazine, a 9mm carbine machine gun with a magazine, and a modified single barrel gun. The search also yielded two No. 36 HE hand grenades, four .380 rounds of ammunition, various empty magazines, smoke hand grenades, anti-riot rubber bullets, and three BP vests, among other items.

Further investigations revealed additional finds in Wabagai Buffalo Farm area, under Kakching Police Station, where forces recovered a .303 rifle with a magazine, a bolt-action single barrel gun, a 9mm pistol with a magazine, live rounds for an AK rifle, and a 51 mm mortar shell with a cover, along with other weapons and ammunition. The search also turned up tear gas canisters, stun shells, and communication equipment.

In another joint operation, forces recovered two country-made 9mm pistols with magazines, several rounds of ammunition, eight hand grenades, and a variety of shells and IEDs from the Saivom Village area in Tengnoupal District.

The authorities suspect that the recovered arms and explosives were hidden by armed miscreants and have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal action.