Major Security Sweep in Manipur: 23 Militants Arrested and Arms Seized

Joint Operations Yield Significant Results

Imphal: A coordinated effort by the Army alongside central and state security forces has led to the apprehension of 23 militants from various groups in Manipur, along with the recovery of 40 different types of weapons, grenades, and ammunition across eight districts, officials reported on Monday.

According to a Defence spokesperson, these well-planned operations resulted in the capture of militants from both hill and valley-based factions.

The operations took place over the past few days in districts including Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Imphal East, and Imphal West.

Specialized resources, such as Explosive Detection Dogs, were utilized during these missions.

In Imphal East, security forces discovered five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) linked together, containing a total of 35 kg of explosives.

The seized arms included a variety of firearms such as Self Loading Rifles (SLR), M16 rifles, Sten machine guns, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, double-barrel and single-barrel rifles, action rifles, improvised mortars, pull mechanism rifles, mortars, heavy caliber launchers, and 9 mm pistols.

The captured militants, along with the recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives, have been handed over to the Manipur Police.

These operations underscore the security forces' steadfast dedication to ensuring peace and stability in Manipur, as noted by the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Imphal valley, which includes five districts, remains tense but manageable, according to police reports.

Tensions escalated in the valley region on Saturday night following the arrest of a leader from the Meitei radical group, Arambai Tenggol.

Ashem Kanan Singh (46), the leader of Arambai Tenggol, was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Imphal due to his involvement in serious criminal activities and multiple registered cases against him, as stated by police on Sunday.

Additionally, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained three insurgents linked to a deadly attack on security personnel that resulted in the deaths of two police commandos and injuries to several others in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, on January 17 of the previous year.