Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Police and the Indian Army dismantled a series of militant camps across the state this week. Intense operations led to major weapons seizures. The security teams swept through forest areas in Churachandpur, Imphal West, and Imphal East to curb insurgent activity.
A raid near K. Thenjang village on July 14 turned up a massive haul. Forces uncovered an AK rifle, a pistol, two single-barrel guns, and two country-made pistols. The team also secured an air gun, an RPG round, a hand grenade, five IEDs, an explosive block, and three pump-action guns. They confiscated four Motorola radios with two chargers, four bulletproof jackets, and 44 empty cartridge cases.
Another search near Gothol village yielded an INSAS rifle, a single-barrel firearm, and five locally made grenades. Troops also grabbed 25 empty cartridges, nine live rounds, binoculars, two 9 mm magazines, three Baofeng radios, and military gear like helmets and chest pouches. Earlier operations on Tuesday near K. Thenjang resulted in the seizure of four sophisticated rifles, a 4-kg conical IED, four bulletproof jackets, two helmets, and eleven spent cartridge cases.
Police also targeted specific cadres. Authorities arrested Sagolshem Leishemba, alias Ibungo, on July 12 in Imphal West. Officers identified the 28-year-old as an active member of the KCP (Nongdrenkhomba) outfit. Police noted he was "allegedly involved in extortion activities." Two days later, they took Sanasam Ibocha, alias Abocha Singh, into custody at his Uyumpok Mamang Leikai home. That bust netted an AK-56 rifle, a .32 pistol, and 27 live rounds.
No militants were captured during the forest sweeps. All recovered hardware now sits with the police for legal action. Security forces continue to push into these regions to break up groups operating outside the Suspension of Operations framework.
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