Army conducts intel-based operations in riot-hit Manipur, cache of arms recovered

The Army, in coordination with Manipur Police, made significant recoveries of illegal arms and warlike equipment in Churachandpur, Thoubal, and Imphal East districts in two joint operations on Saturday.
These operations were part of the Army’s ongoing peace initiatives aimed at demilitarising the region’s local population.
In the first operation, a combined team from the Army and Churachandpur Police searched the forested upper reaches of Thangjing Ridge in Churachandpur district.
The raid resulted in the recovery of two 9 mm pistols with magazines, a single-barrel rifle, two locally fabricated rockets (measuring 5.5 and 3 feet), a modified long-range mortar, two medium-range mortars, four mortar bombs, nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, 6.2 kilograms of grade two explosives, and other warlike materials, officials said.
In a separate operation, acting on specific intelligence, the Army and Manipur Police conducted a search in Changbi village, located on the fringes of Thoubal and Imphal East districts. This led to the seizure of two carbine machine guns, two pistols, a single-barrel gun, nine hand grenades, 11 rounds of small arms ammunition, and additional warlike stores.
All recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police for further investigation and legal action.
Since May last year, ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-dwelling Kukis has claimed over 200 lives, displacing thousands from their homes.
Recently, the conflict has intensified, with militants employing drones and improvised rockets to attack villages of opposing communities, resulting in further casualties and injuries.