Imphal: Bomb disposal experts of the Assam Rifles detected and neutralised explosive devices planted by armed miscreants along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, officials said on Thursday.
The operation was carried out as part of ongoing search and area domination exercises in fringe and vulnerable areas near Yangoubung, close to Border Pillar 72 under Moreh Police Station. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a specialised 14-member bomb disposal team was deployed after an explosive was detected during a routine patrol.
The team safely neutralised two unexploded Chinese hand grenades through a controlled in situ detonation on Wednesday. Officials said the explosives posed a serious threat to civilians in the border area. The operation was completed without any casualties or damage to property.
In a separate set of operations on February 18, security forces recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from multiple locations in Imphal West district.
From the Loitang Leikinthabi hill range under Sekmai Police Station, personnel seized 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).
In another phase of the operation at the foothills of Hiyangthang Tarahei Awang Leikai under Wangoi Police Station, security forces recovered three hand grenades, one high-explosive bomb, 15 live rounds of ammunition of various calibres, four 5.56 mm empty cases, one tube launcher and two unidentified explosives marked “Green 90 AKFG”.
Meanwhile, in Churachandpur district, a joint operation by security forces and the Forest Department led to the destruction of 20 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the Happi Mollen and Chaljang hill ranges under Sangaikot Police Station.
Officials said a temporary hut found at the site was dismantled and destroyed. Two bags of salt and kitchen utensils recovered from the location were also disposed of during the operation.