Joint teams of police, Army, Assam Rifles, and CAPFs launched late-night raids based on intelligence inputs. Officials believe the weapons were intended for use by insurgent groups amid ongoing ethnic unrest in the state.
BY PC Bureau
July 4, 2025 — In one of the largest crackdowns on illegal weapons in recent months, joint security forces in Manipur recovered a staggering cache of arms, explosives, and ammunition during a sweeping overnight operation carried out between July 3 and the morning of July 4.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, coordinated operations were launched across the hill districts of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur. The effort involved combined teams from the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Indian Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Search operations targeted remote and suspected insurgent hideouts deep in the interior regions.
The search yielded 203 weapons, including:
- 21 INSAS rifles
- 11 AK-series rifles
- 26 Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs)
- 2 sniper rifles
- 3 carbines
- 17 .303 rifles
- 2 51mm mortars
- 2 MA assault rifles
- 3 M79 grenade launchers
- 38 “Pompi” improvised guns
- Along with several pistols, bolt-action rifles, and country-made firearms
READ: Facing Backlash, will Biren Clarify His Dr. Nehginpao Claim?
In addition, security forces seized:
- 30 improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
- 10 grenades
- 9 Pompi shells
- 2 Lathode grenades
- A large cache of 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition
PRESS NOTE
Major Recovery of Arms and Ammunition by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles/ Army
and other Security Forces.
From the midnight of 3rd July 2025 to the morning of 4th July 2025, Security Forces (SFs) conducted
extensive search operations in the hill districts of Manipur.… pic.twitter.com/DuCRqH9gJ1— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 4, 2025
“These intelligence-based coordinated operations in the hill districts represent a significant achievement for the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles/army and central security forces in their ongoing efforts to restore normalcy, maintain public order, and ensure the safety and security of citizens and their property,” the police said in a statement.
Officials say the arms may have been intended for use by insurgent groups or anti-social elements seeking to escalate unrest in the region.
The successful recovery is seen as a major boost to efforts aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure and restoring normalcy in Manipur, which has been wracked by ethnic violence and sporadic armed attacks for over a year.
Security forces have remained on high alert following the seizure, and fresh operations are expected in the days ahead to uncover any remaining weapons stockpiles.
READ: Special Report | The Mate Case (Part 1): NIA Goof-Up, Bail, and Rearrest
