Imphal, 25 June (HS): Security forces in Manipur have intensified their operations against illegal arms, insurgent activities and narcotics, leading to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and ammunition from Kangpokpi district and the arrest of an insurgent operative in Imphal West district.

According to an official statement issued by the Manipur Police Headquarters on Thursday, a joint operation conducted on June 24 in the Kotlen area of Kangpokpi district resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of arms and ammunition. The recovered items included a 5.56 mm Excalibur rifle, eight single-barrel rifles, four improvised mortars, a UBGL, five lathodes, 236 live rounds of different calibres, two magazines and a Baofeng communication handset with charger.

In a separate development, security personnel arrested an alleged lance corporal of the Manipur Naga People's Front (MNPF), identified as Siro Vungta alias Ronaldo (24), from the Khuman Lampak area near the ISBT Gate under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West district on June 22. The accused is a resident of Tarong village in Kamjong district.

Meanwhile, search operations and area domination exercises continued across vulnerable and fringe areas of the state on June 24. Security agencies reported further recoveries of arms and ammunition during these operations.

To strengthen security arrangements and prevent unlawful activities, authorities established a total of 112 checkpoints across both hill and valley districts of Manipur, with intensified monitoring and frisking being carried out at strategic locations.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash