Imphal: Security forces recovered 29 firearms along with a large cache of ammunition during a counter-insurgency operation in Imphal East district on Sunday, officials said.
The operation was launched around 6:15 pm after security agencies received specific intelligence about the movement of armed miscreants in the Wakha Ching area. A joint team comprising the Special Commando Unit (Khabeisoi) of the Manipur Police and personnel of the 6th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) immediately moved to the location.
The search operation was led by Dr. S. Ibomcha Singh, IPS, Commandant of the 6th IRB and officer in charge of the Special Commando Unit, along with Subedar L. Bibekananda Singh, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Commando (CDO) Unit. The team cordoned off the area before conducting a thorough search.
During the operation in the forested area of Wakha Hill, opposite the Shelloi Langmai Composite Farm, the personnel recovered four plastic bags containing 29 firearms, magazines and a substantial quantity of ammunition and explosives.
The seized weapons included five Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), two INSAS rifles with straight butts, two INSAS rifles with folding butts, two AK Ghatak rifles, one INSAS Light Machine Gun (LMG), six .303 rifles, three double-barrel breech-loading (DBBL) guns, seven single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) guns and one pump-action gun.
The recovered ammunition and explosives comprised one Lathode bomb, 530 rounds of .303 live ammunition, 64 rounds of 7.62 mm SLR ammunition, 19 INSAS live rounds, six 5.56 mm carbine rounds, 40 drill cartridges and 17 chargers for .303 rifles.
Police said no arrests have been made so far. However, search operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to trace those responsible. The recovered weapons and ammunition have been deposited at the concerned police station, and further legal proceedings are underway.