Coordinated security operations carried out across Manipur on February 18 led to the arrest of three active members of banned insurgent outfits and the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and explosives from multiple districts, officials said.

According to police, a 53-year-old cadre linked to the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), was arrested from Khangabok area under Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal district. Investigators alleged that he was involved in recruiting new members for the outfit and tracking the movement of security forces. The information gathered was reportedly passed on to handlers of the organisation.

In a separate operation in Imphal West district, a 37-year-old member of the United National Liberation Front (Koireng) was apprehended from his residence at Lamlongei Maning Leikai under Lamshang Police Station. A mobile phone and an Aadhaar card were seized during the search.

Another alleged cadre, identified as a 34-year-old operative of the Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG), was detained from Singjamei Chinga Makha under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West district. Security personnel recovered a two-wheeler and a mobile phone from his possession. Officials described him as being involved in extortion activities.

Meanwhile, arms and explosives were recovered during search operations in border and hill areas. Two pistols with magazines and two Chinese hand grenades were found in the general area of Yangoubung near Border Pillar 72 under Moreh Police Station in Tengnoupal district. The grenades were destroyed on the spot.

In another search conducted in the Loitang Leikinthabi hill range under Sekmai Police Station in Imphal West district, forces recovered one AK-47 Ghatak rifle with magazine, two .303 rifles, one double-barrel rifle, one single-barrel rifle, three No. 36 high-explosive grenades, and five improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Officials stated that the recoveries highlight the continued presence of illegal arms in vulnerable areas and reaffirm ongoing efforts by security forces to disrupt recruitment, intelligence-gathering, and extortion networks linked to insurgent outfits operating in the state.