Manipur Police, in coordination with central security forces, have launched intensified joint search and intelligence-based operations across Kangpokpi and Thoubal districts following a deadly militant attack on Monday, 20 October 2026, that left three villagers dead and four others injured. Three suspected militants have been arrested and a large cache of weapons has been seized from mountainous areas of the state.

The Attack: What Happened

Suspected armed militants opened fire on a group of approximately 14 villagers who had gone to collect firewood at Khongbal Tangkhul, under Sagolmang police station in Kangpokpi district, on Monday. Three villagers belonging to the Meitei community succumbed to bullet injuries, while four others sustained injuries in the attack. In a separate incident on Sunday, one person was killed and several others were injured in clashes between members of two communities in Thoubal district, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders in two affected areas.

Arrests and Key Disclosures

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order/Intelligence), Lhari Dorje, told reporters that, as per preliminary investigation, two of the three arrested persons reportedly admitted to being part of the assault team. Further investigation is underway to identify other individuals involved in Monday's attack. Based on disclosures made by the arrested accused, security teams were led to a significant weapons haul hidden in the region's mountainous terrain.

Arms Cache Recovered

The weapons recovered include an INSAS rifle, an M16 rifle, an A1 rifle, an AK-47-type rifle, a 7.62 mm sniper rifle, a Heckler and Koch 5.56 mm rifle, three 12-bore single-barrel guns, a lethod gun, and a handmade rocket launcher, among other items. In total, 12 firearms, 1,095 live rounds of various calibres, explosives, and other items were recovered. Security forces are also investigating reports of missing ammunition and magazines in connection with the operations.

Sinai Camp Detentions and Parallel Searches

In a separate operation near Sinai Camp — a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp — on Tuesday, 17 individuals were detained for identity verification after their details did not match the listed cadres of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) associated with the camp. Meanwhile, a joint team of Thoubal police and central security forces searched around 146 houses and verified more than 300 individuals in the Sangaiyumpham-Cherapur area in connection with the Khangabok-Sangaiyumpham case. Four suspects were detained, of whom two have been formally arrested. A double-barrel gun was seized and sent for forensic examination.

Helicopter Surveillance and Public Appeal

ADG Dorje confirmed that senior officers of the Manipur Police and combined security forces conducted helicopter surveillance over affected areas, with ground operations continuing. Manipur Police have appealed to the public to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands, and avoid circulating unverified information on social media. Citizens have been urged to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room. This comes amid the broader ethnic tensions that have roiled Manipur over the past year, making every fresh incident a potential flashpoint. Security establishments are expected to maintain heightened deployment in the coming days as investigations deepen.