Imphal, August 28, 2025: Security forces in Manipur achieved significant success on August 27 with the recovery of large caches of arms, ammunition, and explosives from multiple locations in Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts, marking continued efforts to restore peace and check the proliferation of illegal weapons in the restive region.
In coordinated operations, search teams seized a substantial haul of arms including US-made M16 rifles, .303 rifles reported as looted, submachine guns, pistols (including US-made models), magazines, various rounds of ammunition, hand grenades, improvised projectile launchers, radio sets, and bulletproof jackets from a jungle stretch between Maohing and Changoubung villages in Kangpokpi district. The recovery also included improvised mortar launchers and a significant number of bolt-action and single-barrel rifles.
A separate operation in Khongnangpokpi area under Sekmai Police Station, Imphal West, led to the seizure of a pompi gun, country-made rifle, grenade, radio equipment, and supporting hardware.
Additionally, security forces recovered a 9mm carbine, three pull mechanism rifles, three improvised mortars, two grenades, and other arms from around Kotzim village under New Keithelmanbi Police Station in Kangpokpi district.
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Officials stated these recoveries are part of ongoing region-wide operations to recover weapons looted during past ethnic violence and to dismantle armed networks threatening stability in Manipur. The security presence and search drives follow months of community violence, widespread displacement, and appeals by authorities for the surrender of illegal arms.
