Security Forces Apprehend 4 UNLF (P) Cadres, Seize Huge Cache of Arms and Ammunition

In a major security breakthrough amid the ongoing unrest in Manipur, security forces recovered a massive cache of sophisticated weapons, explosives, and war-like stores during a series of coordinated operations in the Lamdeng area of Imphal West district on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to police, the operation was launched based on credible information regarding the sale of looted arms and ammunition in the Lamshang area.

During the operation, two active cadres of UNLF (P), identified as Heishnam Thomas Singh (29) of Mayang Imphal Kokchai and Arambam Tomtom Singh (29) of Lamshang Heibongpokpi Mayai Leikai, were apprehended along with one INSAS LMG, three INSAS LMG magazines, and fourteen live rounds.

While the arrest process was underway, associates of the cadres opened fire at the security forces, resulting in a brief exchange of fire. Subsequently, two more cadres involved in firing upon the security forces, namely Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh, were apprehended, police stated.

During preliminary interrogation, the arrested cadres disclosed that they had come to sell the seized weapon on the instruction of self-styled Lance Corporal Naorem Bijoy @ Macha of UNLF (P).

According to police, the cadres also admitted involvement in the earlier sale of looted arms and ammunition.

Subsequently, based on follow-up operations, joint security forces comprising Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and CRPF conducted a cordon-and-search operation at an unauthorised UNLF (P) camp located at Lamdeng. During the operation, security forces recovered and secured a large cache of arms and war-like stores consisting of 29 weapons, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, pistols, and other firearms.

Further, on May 21, joint security forces recovered 38 additional weapons and heavy stores, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, a sniper rifle, carbines, shotguns, mortars, an RPG-7 launcher, an anti-drone jammer, and a huge cache of explosives.

The arms, ammunition, and war-like stores recovered during the operation included 27 AK-series rifles, four 9 mm pistols, three M21 rifles, one M4 rifle, four M16 rifles, one .22 rifle, three M-series rifles, one sniper rifle, one carbine, one gas gun, one air gun, nine single-barrel shotguns, two pump-action single-barrel guns, four double-barrel guns, two single-barrel guns, two 3-inch mortars, one RPG-7 launcher, and 38 other miscellaneous items, including explosives, an anti-drone jammer, ammunition, and other incriminating materials.

Police have requested the public to immediately report any information regarding looted or illegally possessed weapons to the nearest police station.