20 cadres held, cache of IEDs seized in Manipur operations
In a major crackdown on insurgent activities, security forces have apprehended 20 cadres from various hill and valley-based groups during a week-long intensified operation across Manipur. The joint operations, conducted between 15 and 21 February, led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons, explosives, and narcotics.
The operations were carried out by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles under the Spear Corps, in close coordination with the Manipur Police. The sweeps spanned the districts of Tengnoupal, Imphal East, Imphal West, Churachandpur, Thoubal, and Chandel.
According to a defence spokesperson, the week began with the apprehension of two KYKL cadres near the international border in Tengnoupal on February 15. On the same day, a female cadre of the UNLF (K) was nabbed in Imphal East, while three active members of the KNF (Zogam), allegedly involved in extortion, were picked up in Churachandpur.
The relentless pressure by the forces saw the arrest of a veteran KCP (Noyon) cadre on February 16 in Sawombung. The individual had reportedly undergone training in Myanmar. On February 17, the Chandel district witnessed a double success as Assam Rifles intercepted a narcotics consignment of 40,000 ‘WY’ tablets valued at `1.6 crore and later detected 12 IEDs and Chinese grenades during an area domination patrol near Yangoubung.
The momentum continued through the week with the arrest of cadres belonging to the RPF/PLA, PREPAK (PRO), and UPPK from various locations, including Imphal West and Thoubal. On February 19, four more IEDs were recovered near the border in Tengnoupal, averting potential attacks on security convoys.
The final phase of the operation on 20 and 21 February focused on the KCP factions, resulting in the arrest of three more cadres from Tera Lukram Leirak, Takyel Khongbal, and Langol Ningthou Leikai. A senior officer stated that these intelligence-driven operations have dealt a severe blow to the logistics and manpower of the proscribed outfits. The recovered war-like stores and explosives have been handed over to the police for further investigation.
