Manipur police capture insurgents and seize massive weapons stash

Imphal: Manipur Police hauled in a cadre of the RPF/PLA on June 22. They nabbed 29-year-old Oinam Dhanaraj Singh near the ISBT in Imphal West. Officers seized his Honda Activa during the stop. The arrest adds to a busy week for security forces tasked with clearing out local insurgents.

Authorities also swept through Thoubal Bazar on June 21. They grabbed two extortionists working for the KCP (MFL). The suspects, Abujam Sumit Singh and Makuchung Gangmei, carried 48 donation cards when they were caught. The cards are a common tool for funding illegal operations.

A massive joint operation involving the Army, CRPF, RAF, and COBRA targeted militant hubs earlier. Troops fanned out across Leilon Vaiphei and surrounding villages starting June 20. Intelligence reports pointed to armed fighters hiding in the brush. Gunfire broke out between the units and the militants. The fighting lasted two days.

The sweep turned up a staggering amount of hardware. Soldiers found two AK-47s, an M4 Carbine, several SLRs, and a homemade sniper rifle. They also gathered 28 shotguns and various communication tools. Security agencies claim they will keep up the pressure. A spokesperson noted that "search operations and area domination exercises are continuing in vulnerable locations" to break up militant networks across the state.