Major Security Operation in Manipur Nets Massive Arms and Explosives Cache
In a significant counter-insurgency operation, security forces conducted coordinated raids at 14 locations across five districts of Manipur on Friday, recovering what officials describe as the largest cache of arms, explosives, and communication equipment seized in the state in recent years. The simultaneous operations targeted sites in Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Tengnoupal districts, revealing the substantial scale of insurgent stockpiles still concealed throughout the northeastern state.
Explosives and Firearms Seized in Unprecedented Haul
According to Manipur Police, the operation resulted in the recovery of 50 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), all of which were found in different locations within Tengnoupal district along the sensitive Myanmar border. Authorities immediately destroyed these dangerous devices on-site following strict safety protocols to prevent any potential threats.
The IEDs were distributed across multiple villages: 12 devices were recovered from Yangoubung, 29 from Loisi and Saivom villages, and nine from SL Zougam village. Beyond the IEDs, security forces seized an extensive array of explosive materials including 15 hand grenades of both local and Chinese origin, two smoke bombs, one WP 80 smoke grenade, seven stun grenades, four high-explosive mortars, two local bombs, and two tube launching devices.
The weapons haul proved equally substantial, with forces recovering more than 100 firearms. This arsenal included sophisticated weaponry such as one Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), two INSAS rifles, an AK-56 assault rifle, one modified sniper rifle, one carbine, six improvised and standard .303 rifles, over 20 single-barrel guns, more than 30 country-made pistols, eight 9mm pistols (including country-made variants), and seven .32 pistols. The seizure also encompassed more than 250 live rounds of ammunition, multiple magazines, and various communication equipment including Motorola, Baofeng, and SIMOCO radio sets, binoculars, camouflage vests, and helmets.
Arrest Made and Connection to Previous Unrest
During the operation in Kakching district, police arrested Laishram Ashok Meitei (42), identified as an active cadre of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) insurgent outfit. Meitei was found in possession of a .303 rifle, 23 live rounds, and a 12-bore cartridge at the time of his apprehension.
The massive recovery operation comes against the backdrop of significant weapons looting that occurred during the violent unrest that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. According to Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, who recently addressed the state assembly, approximately 6,020 firearms were looted during that period of chaos.
Minister Singh noted that while security forces have recovered over 7,000 weapons through relentless search operations across Manipur since the unrest began, the recovery of arms specifically looted from government armouries remains incomplete. He emphasized that reclaiming these stolen stockpiles continues to be a top priority for the state government.
Background: The 2023 Armoury Lootings
During the first week of violence in May 2023, mobs stormed and ransacked multiple police armouries, overpowered patrol teams, and even plundered the exhibit room of the state forensic laboratory. These coordinated attacks resulted in weapons and ammunition being carted away in unprecedented numbers that shocked security establishments.
Officials revealed that almost every variant of sophisticated weapons supplied by Indian ordnance factories to state armed forces was part of the loot. This included advanced firearms such as the Amogh carbine, the Excalibur rifle, and Ghaatak assault rifles—all standard issue to security forces.
First Information Reports (FIRs) registered at different police stations regarding the mob raids on armouries describe a consistent pattern: several thousand rioters outnumbering security personnel at each location and systematically walking away with weapons. The largest single looting incident occurred on May 28, 2023, at the headquarters of the 8th India Reserve (Commando) Battalion at Khabeisoi in Imphal East district.
During that attack, a mob estimated at around 10,000 people—armed with weapons, catapults, and iron rods—surrounded the battalion headquarters and attacked personnel before making off with substantial weaponry. Armouries in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi districts were among the worst affected during the widespread looting spree.
The recent coordinated raids and massive recoveries demonstrate the ongoing security challenges in Manipur and the determined efforts by security forces to neutralize insurgent capabilities and recover stolen weapons that continue to pose significant threats to regional stability.
