Imphal, 30 June (HS): Security forces and Manipur Police carried out a series of successful operations across the state on June 29, leading to the seizure of narcotics, recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition and the arrest of two persons.

In Senapati district, security personnel intercepted a Tata Yodha vehicle at the T-Khullen Naka check post and apprehended its driver, Helkho Kipgen (45), and passenger Hatneilhing Kipgen (40), both residents of Kangpokpi district. During the search, officials recovered 42 soap cases containing around 530 grams of suspected brown sugar, the vehicle used for transportation, and ₹5,000 in cash.

In another operation, Manipur Police recovered a substantial quantity of arms and ammunition from a forested area under Jiribam Police Station in Jiribam district. The seizure included six SLR rifles, one AK rifle, five magazines and 625 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres.

Meanwhile, security forces also unearthed a concealed cache of sophisticated weapons and war-like stores from the biomass Phumdi in Loktak Lake near the Phubala Patton area under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district. The recovered items included an RPG launcher, two pistols, hand grenades, RPG grenades, improvised explosive devices, artillery and mortar shells, ammunition, detonator, magazines, tube launchers, bulletproof helmets and other protective equipment.

Police said further investigation is underway in all the cases to identify those involved and trace the origin of the recovered contraband and weapons.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash