Security forces in Manipur recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition — including four Chinese-origin 82 mm mortars and a rocket approximately 10 feet long and weighing around 80 kg — along with 1.147 kg of methamphetamine tablets worth an estimated ₹3.25 crore, in separate operations conducted over the past 24 hours, police said on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The recoveries span Churachandpur, Bishnupur, and Kangpokpi districts, underscoring the scale of ongoing militancy and narcotics challenges in the conflict-hit state.

Arms Haul: What Was Recovered

The weapons cache was unearthed during a joint operation by district police and the Army in a forested area near P Geljang village under Kangvai sub-division in Churachandpur district on Wednesday. Beyond the four Chinese-origin 82 mm mortars and the large rocket, the haul included three country-made guns with two magazines, one pistol without a magazine, three single-barrel rifles, five Chinese grenades, 30 mortar bombs of different calibres (82 mm and 51 mm), and seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing between 2 kg and 4 kg each.

Additional items recovered included five rounds of 5.6 mm ammunition, one country-made MP-5 with a magazine, one country-made mortar, three hand grenades, one high-explosive (HE) bomb, and other explosive devices. The presence of Chinese-origin military-grade weaponry among the cache is notably significant, raising questions about supply routes into the state.

Drug Bust: Inter-State Network Suspected

In a separate operation at Sapermeina in Kangpokpi district, a joint team comprising Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) intercepted a passenger bus travelling from Imphal toward Mao in Senapati district, which borders Nagaland, acting on reliable intelligence inputs. A thorough search yielded 1.147 kg of banned methamphetamine tablets along with packaging materials, valued at approximately ₹3.25 crore.

A suspected drug peddler identified as Md. Karim Khan (27), alias Achouba, a resident of Lilong Turel Ahanbi in Thoubal district, was arrested at the scene. During preliminary questioning, investigators reportedly received information pointing to an alleged buyer based in Assam. A follow-up joint operation — involving Kangpokpi district police, CRPF, Assam Rifles, and Assam Police — led to the arrest of a second accused, identified as Abdul Khalique (40), a resident of Dhansari in Assam's Darrang district. Further investigation is underway to map the alleged inter-state drug trafficking network.

Broader Security Picture in Manipur

The twin operations are part of intensified security measures across the state. A total of 116 nakas (checkpoints) have been deployed across both valley and hill districts to monitor suspicious movement. Security escorts are also being provided to vehicles — including trucks carrying essential commodities — along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), to ensure uninterrupted supply movement in a region that has experienced prolonged ethnic tensions.

Security forces continue to conduct search operations and area domination exercises in fringe, mixed-populated, and vulnerable areas across multiple districts. This comes amid a wider pattern of periodic arms seizures in Manipur, where militant groups have historically had access to sophisticated weaponry smuggled across porous borders.

What Happens Next

Investigators are working to establish the full extent of the inter-state drug trafficking network and identify additional individuals involved. The source and intended recipients of the Chinese-origin military hardware also remain under investigation. The continued deployment of joint forces — combining the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, and state police — signals that operations in the region are expected to remain at heightened intensity in the near term.