Security forces have arrested nine individuals, including seven militants belonging to various proscribed outfits, during a series of coordinated operations across Imphal East, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts, police said on Thursday.

A joint team of Manipur Police and the Assam Rifles apprehended an active member of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) involved in extortion from Nugaipokpi Maning Leikai in Imphal East on Wednesday. On Tuesday, three more militants of the same outfit, including two women engaged in extortion activities, were arrested from Wabagai Lamkhai in Kakching district.

In another operation on Wednesday, one active cadre of the KCP (MFL) was arrested from Pangaltabi Makha in Imphal East. Police also detained two extortionists from Keithelmanbi Vengpi in Kangpokpi district. Additionally, two active cadres of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were captured near India-Myanmar border pillar number 85 in Tengnoupal district.

Meanwhile, during a search operation at Dampi Ridge in Churachandpur district on Tuesday, security forces recovered six single-barrel rifles, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and three long-range mortars. Police said intelligence-based combing and cordon-and-search operations are being intensified to crack down on extortion and other criminal activities in the state.