Imphal, 03 August (HS): Security forces in Manipur recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during search operations across the state, while police arrested two persons in separate cases linked to narcotics and illegal weapons.

Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces conducted a search operation in the Makokching forest hill range under Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi district. The operation led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of weapons, including an M16 rifle, a Mark III rifle, a sniper rifle, a .22 bolt-action gun, 25 single-barrel guns, seven pistols, 76 live rounds of various calibres, 179 empty cartridge cases, a rifle magazine, four locally made firearms, three hand grenades, 20 detonators, four Baofeng radio sets and a charger.

In a separate operation related to an NDPS case involving the seizure of 49.5 kg of opium, Manipur Police arrested 38-year-old Jivan Basnet of Motbung in Kangpokpi district. Police said efforts are underway to trace the prime accused and another supplier connected to the case.

In another crackdown, police arrested 34-year-old Md. Firoz Alam from Thoubal district and recovered 530.66 grams of brown sugar, a 12-bore pump-action gun, eight empty shotgun shells, a cartridge belt and ₹1.81 lakh in cash.

Meanwhile, security forces also seized 98 litres of illicit country liquor from the Nambol area of Bishnupur district. Further investigation is underway in all the cases.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash