17 insurgents nabbed, arms and explosives seized in Manipur

In a massive crackdown on insurgent activities, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, operating under the Spear Corps, in coordination with the Manipur Police, apprehended 17 cadres from various proscribed groups and recovered a significant cache of arms and explosives during a week-long series of operations across the State.

The intelligence-driven operations, conducted between March 22 and March 28, spanned the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Tengnoupal.

The week began with the apprehension of a KYKL cadre in Nambol Sabal Leikai by the Assam Rifles and Bishnupur Police Commandos on March 22. Simultaneously, a PREPAK (PRO) member was nabbed in the Singjamei area of Imphal West. The most significant haul occurred along the Indo-Myanmar Border in Tengnoupal, where the Assam Rifles intercepted 10 PREPAK (RA) cadres.

On March 23, security forces apprehended a KCP Apunba cadre in Chana village and a Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba) member in the Sawombung area. Later in the week, on March 27, a PLA cadre and two others belonging to the KYKL and KCP were apprehended near Border Pillars 73 and 74 in the Chalson area.

Beyond the arrests, the joint teams made substantial recoveries of “war-like stores” intended for disruptive activities. On March 25, security forces recovered a carbine, two pistols, four magazines, five single-barreled rifles, and two improvised mortars from the area between Tingkhai Khullen and Nepali Khutti in the Kangpokpi District.

The momentum continued on March 26 in Churachandpur, where operations in Loilamkot yielded two single-barrel rifles, three bombs, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two 'pompies', and three grenades. In a final swoop on March 28 at Yangoubung Village in Chandel District, the joint team seized six pistols with magazines, a single-barrel rifle, 15 IEDs, and two radio sets.

The apprehended individuals and the recovered items have been handed over to the concerned police stations for further legal proceedings. Security remains tightened across the sensitive districts to thwart any further attempts by the valley and hill-based groups to disturb the peace.