Imphal: Security forces conducted two separate operations in Manipur’s Churachandpur district over the past 24 hours, arresting a Myanmar national allegedly involved in narcotics smuggling and recovering a large cache of weapons and ammunition.

In the first operation, a joint team of Behiang Police and the 37 Assam Rifles intercepted a suspicious person during a routine patrol along the India-Myanmar international border near Border Pillar 41.

The suspect was identified as Haukimmang, 36, son of Khamsuanlian, a resident of Vanglai village in Myanmar.

A search of his belongings led to the recovery of 11 soap cases containing a substance suspected to be heroin, weighing approximately 154 grams.

Officials said the suspect has been taken into custody and a case is being registered. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the narcotics and identify others who may be linked to the alleged smuggling network.

In a separate operation, Churachandpur District Police and the 2 Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) launched a search based on intelligence inputs about a suspected weapons cache in the Thangjing Ridge area.

Security personnel searched the rugged terrain between Nalon and Thinghijang villages, where they recovered a substantial quantity of weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment.

The recovered items included:

  • Two 82 mm mortar tubes and two mortar bombs
  • Two locally manufactured Pumpi guns and four Pumpi shells
  • One MP5 automatic rifle with a specialised scope
  • Four 9 mm carbines with magazines
  • One locally fabricated rocket
  • Two pistols with magazines
  • Four single-barrel guns and four bolt-action rifles
  • One communication radio set
  • Two bulletproof jacket (BPJ) harnesses
  • One pair of combat boots

Officials said the recovery of the arms and ammunition could have prevented their potential use in disruptive activities in the region.

Security forces have since stepped up area-dominance patrols and surveillance across the district as part of efforts to curb insurgent activity and illegal cross-border operations.