Imphal, 13 January (HS): Security forces recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and communication equipment and arrested two rebels in the operations conducted during last 24 hours in Manipur.

Security forces informed on Tuesday that an operation conducted at Langol Reserve Forest Hill, near the roadside leading to Lamdeng Water Supply under Lamsang police station in Imphal West district and recovered a huge cache of arms and explosives.

The recovered items included one SLR with two magazines, two single-barrel guns, three pistols with three magazines, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm SLR ammunition, one No. 36 HE grenade, eight tube launchings and one Kenwood hand-held communication set.

In a separate operation, security forces recovered an unidentified metal object, suspected to be a pumpi, from the Monghlam area under Thoubal Dam police station in Imphal East district during long-range patrolling.

Meanwhile, on January 12, security forces arrested an extortionist identified as an active cadre of PREPAK (Pro). The arrested person, Huiningshungbam George Bush Meitei alias Ningthem (19), a resident of Lamphel Grace Colony under Lamphel police station in Imphal West district, was apprehended from Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai. A mobile phone was seized from his possession.

In another operation, an active cadre of KYKL (G-5), involved in causing an explosion at a fuel station at Moirang Thana Leikai in Bishnupur district, was arrested. The accused, Hijam Manichandra Singh (35), a resident of Waikhong Chingdong Leikai in Kakching district, was apprehended from Komnao Makha Leikai under Waikhong police station.

Following his arrest, security forces identified other accomplices involved in the explosion. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash