Manipur Police have busted an inter-state organised gang involved in illegal arms trade and arrested four individuals, including a cadre of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (P) [UNLF(P)], officials said on Wednesday.

The arrests were made during a crackdown on June 24 in the Greater Imphal area, as part of ongoing operations to dismantle criminal and insurgent networks operating across the state.

“A major breakthrough was achieved with the arrest of four individuals linked to a clandestine arms smuggling racket operating across state lines. One of the arrested is a UNLF(P) cadre,” a senior police officer stated.

Police recovered a large cache of sophisticated firearms and ammunition from the suspects, including high-end pistols such as Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Glock, JD Taurus, and Beretta, along with multiple loaded magazines. More than 150 rounds of live ammunition were also seized, highlighting the extent of the operation.

In a separate operation on the same day, three active cadres of the UNLF(P) were apprehended from Babupara in Imphal West. According to police, the trio was involved in extortion activities, targeting government employees and contractors by threatening them to secure contract work.

“Their intimidation tactics have instilled fear among locals and disrupted normalcy in the area,” the officer added.

Investigations are ongoing, and police have intensified surveillance to track down other operatives linked to these networks.