Imphal, May 21: In a major crackdown on illegal arms and ammunition, Manipur Police and joint security forces have recovered a huge cache of weapons and arrested four hardcore cadres linked to the UNLF (P).
The joint operation was launched in Lamdeng under the Lamshang police station area following specific intelligence inputs.
“We arrested two active cadres of the UNLF (P), identified as Heishnam Thomas Singh (29) and Tomtom Singh (29). During the operation, we recovered one INSAS MG, three INSAS LMG magazines, and 14 live rounds of ammunition from their possession,” an official said.
According to officials, associates of the arrested cadres allegedly opened fire on security personnel during the operation, triggering a brief exchange of fire.
Later, two more individuals — Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh — were detained for allegedly firing at the security forces.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested persons allegedly disclosed that they had come to sell the seized weapon on the instructions of self-styled Lance Corporal Naorem Bijoy alias Macha of the UNLF (P).
On Thursday, joint security forces also recovered an additional 38 weapons and heavy military stores, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, a sniper rifle, a carbine, shotguns, mortars, an RPG-7 launcher, an anti-drone jammer, and a huge cache of explosives.
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