Manipur: Over 200 Weapons, IEDs Recovered in Joint Crackdown by Security Forces

In one of the largest seizures in recent months, over 200 sophisticated and country-made weapons, along with a cache of explosives and warlike materials, were recovered in a sweeping joint operation by the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Indian Army, and Central Armed Police Forces across the troubled hill districts of the state.

The crackdown, which began on the midnight of July 3 and continued into the morning of July 4, targeted suspected hideouts in Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur districts—areas that have seen heightened ethnic tension, violence, and armed militancy over the past year.

According to official sources, the operation was launched based on credible intelligence inputs regarding stockpiles of arms and explosives hidden deep in interior forested zones and remote villages. Simultaneous coordinated raids were carried out at multiple sites, yielding an alarming assortment of weaponry that authorities say could have been used to escalate unrest in the region.

Weapons of War in the Hills

In total, 203 firearms were seized, including military-grade rifles and improvised country-made guns. The list includes:

• 21 INSAS rifles

• 26 Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs)

• 11 AK-series assault rifles

• 2 sniper rifles

• 2 51mm mortars

• 3 M-79 grenade launchers

• 38 “Pompi” guns (improvised single-barrel weapons)

• 30+ country-made and breech-loaded firearms

• 3 country-made pistols

• Other bolt-action, muzzle-loaded, and scoped weapons

In addition, the forces recovered:

• 30 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

• 10 grenades

• 9 Pompi shells

• Ammunition of multiple calibres, including 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rounds

Significant Blow to Underground Armed Networks

A senior Manipur Police official described the operation as a “decisive and intelligence-led blow” to armed groups operating in the hills. "These weapons were enough to fuel sustained violence across multiple districts. This recovery has disrupted potential attacks and curtailed the firepower available to illegal groups," he said on condition of anonymity.

The police suspect the arms belonged to various underground elements involved in ethnic militancy, local militias, and armed civilian groups who have continued to stockpile weapons despite ongoing peace and disarmament efforts.

The seizure is particularly significant against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in Manipur, where over a year of ethnic clashes between communities has led to more than 200 deaths, displacement of thousands, and the fragmentation of law and order in several districts.

Appeal for Public Cooperation

The Manipur Police have reiterated their commitment to restoring peace and urged the public to support their efforts by sharing information about illegal arms or suspicious activities. “This operation is part of a larger, sustained effort to cleanse our communities of violence and restore normalcy,” said a spokesperson.

Top police and army officials are reportedly in constant coordination, with more such intelligence-led raids expected in the coming days. "The focus now is on denying any armed group the ability to regroup or reignite conflict,” said a senior official familiar with the security strategy.

Security Forces on High Alert

In the wake of the operation, security has been beefed up across the sensitive districts, and checkpoints, patrols, and aerial surveillance have been intensified. The security forces are also verifying whether the weapons have links to cross-border smuggling networks operating through porous international borders with Myanmar.

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