How Many Militants Were Arrested and Weapons Recovered in Joint Ops in Manipur?

Imphal, June 24 (NationPress) In a coordinated series of operations across Manipur, the Army and various central and state security forces successfully apprehended 17 militants from diverse factions and seized 24 different types of firearms, alongside a substantial stockpile of ammunition and other military-grade supplies across eight districts, officials reported on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the defense stated that these intelligence-driven and coordinated operations culminated in the capture of 17 operatives from various militant organizations based in both the hills and valleys.

He further mentioned that these operations unfolded over the past few days in the valley and hill districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Senapati, Imphal East, and Imphal West.

During these missions, the army utilized specialized resources, including explosive detection dogs.

The operations were spearheaded by units of the Army and Assam Rifles under the Spear Corps, collaborating closely with the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

The cache of arms recovered during these operations featured a self-loading rifle (SLR), AK-series rifles, carbines, bolt-action rifles, single-barrel rifles, .303 rifles, INSAS rifles, various pistols, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition, and other military supplies.

The captured militants and the confiscated arms, ammunition, explosives, and other materials have been handed over to the Manipur Police.

These well-coordinated efforts by security forces underscore their steadfast commitment to preserving peace and security in Manipur, the spokesperson emphasized.

In a separate operation, the Manipur Police apprehended five individuals linked to extortion activities within the state.

Security forces persist in conducting search operations and establishing area dominance in the vulnerable regions of both hill and valley districts. They also provide extensive escorts for goods-laden vehicles traversing National Highway-2 (Imphal to Dimapur) and National Highway-37 (Imphal to Jiribam along southern Assam), which are crucial routes for transporting essential items, food supplies, medications, construction materials, and other goods from outside the state.

Following the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, involving the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Kuki tribal organizations have voiced strong opposition to unrestricted movement along NH-2 and NH-37, which run through tribal areas.