Manipur Police Seize Large Cache of Arms and Explosives in Statewide Crackdown

Imphal, Manipur – March 9, 2025: In a series of coordinated security operations, Manipur Police recovered a significant cache of weapons, explosives, and military-grade equipment from multiple districts, including Imphal East, Jiribam, Ukhrul, and Tengnoupal. The large-scale search and area domination exercises, conducted on March 7, 2025, targeted fringe and vulnerable areas in both hill and valley districts as part of efforts to curb insurgency and restore stability.

According to an official press release, the crackdown resulted in the seizure of firearms, grenades, ammunition, riot control gear, bulletproof vests, and communication devices. In Kakching district, authorities recovered an SMG carbine, a single bolt-action rifle, a modified .303 rifle, and a locally made single-barrel gun, along with five 36 HE Indian-made grenades, a Chinese grenade, and riot control munitions including tear gas shells and rubber bullet cartridges. A walkie-talkie and a bulletproof helmet were also seized from the area.

In Ukhrul district, security forces discovered two 81mm country-made mortars, two 51mm country-made Pumpi guns, and two locally made mortar bombs, along with empty INSAS and SLR rifle cases. A Baofeng radio set and telescopic sight were also found at the site. Meanwhile, in Jiribam district, authorities seized three pump-action shotguns, one 12-bore SBBL, 132 live cartridges, 27 bulletproof jackets, and five Baofeng handsets with charging units.

The Chingkhei Ching area in Imphal East saw the recovery of 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four HE hand grenades without detonators, an RPG shell, and a 2-inch mortar shell, along with suspected explosive materials. In Tengnoupal district, forces confiscated one INSAS Ex-Calibre rifle, a 9mm carbine, an FGC-9mm rifle, and two locally made 9mm pistols, alongside 51mm mortar HE bombs, two tube launchers, and 54 rounds of INSAS ammunition.

These large-scale recoveries come amid ongoing security concerns in Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence and insurgency-related activities. The presence of sophisticated weaponry highlights the growing security challenges in the region. Police and security agencies remain on high alert, conducting further operations to neutralize threats and dismantle illegal arms networks. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the recovered weapons and the groups responsible for stockpiling them.