At least seven militants affiliated with various proscribed outfits were arrested by security forces during operations across Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur districts, Manipur Police said on Thursday.

Two active cadres of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were apprehended from Leirongthel Prita in Thoubal district on Wednesday. The arrested individuals were identified as RK Mubisana Meitei (47) and Moirangthem Naresh Singh (28), both allegedly involved in extortion activities in the district. Security forces recovered one 9 mm pistol with magazine, one .32 pistol with magazine, and seven rounds of ammunition from them.

In Bishnupur district, one active member of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF-Koireng), identified as Moirangthem Chinglen Singh (44), was arrested from his residence at Kangmong Meisnam Maning Leikai on Wednesday.

Another UNLF (Koireng) operative, Asem Nanao Singh (31), was arrested from the Lamdong area in Kakching district on Tuesday. He was reportedly involved in extortion activities in the area.

In a separate operation, Waikhom Rajesh Singh (32), an active member of the UNLF (Pambei), was arrested from Minuthong in Imphal East district. He was allegedly engaged in extortion and issuing threats to cargo agencies operating in the valley region.

Meanwhile, David Ngamjang (25), a self-styled Sergeant Major of the banned CKLA/UPLF (Non-SoO group), was apprehended from Saikot village in Churachandpur district on Tuesday. Authorities recovered one 9 mm pistol and three live rounds from his possession.

Additionally, a cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Taibanganba), allegedly involved in extortion, was arrested on Tuesday from Waikhong in Kakching district.

Security forces have intensified counter-insurgency operations in the region amid ongoing efforts to restore law and order in the conflict-affected state.