Imphal: In a major crackdown on illegal arms smuggling activities, Manipur Police and joint security forces recovered a huge cache of looted arms and ammunition from the Lamshang area under Lamshang Police Station and arrested four cadres linked to the UNLF (P).
Addressing the media on Thursday, police officials said the operation was carried out on May 20 based on credible intelligence inputs regarding an attempt to sell looted arms and ammunition in the Lamshang area.
During the operation, two active UNLF (P) cadres - Heishnam Thomas Singh (29) of Mayang Imphal Kokchai and Arambam Tomtom Singh (29) of Lamshang Heibongpokpi Mayai Leikai - were apprehended.
Police said security personnel recovered one INSAS MG, three INSAS LMG magazines, and 14 live rounds of ammunition from their possession.
Officials further stated that while the arrest process was underway, associates of the arrested cadres allegedly opened fire at the security forces, leading to a brief exchange of fire.
Subsequently, two more cadres allegedly involved in firing upon the security personnel - Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh - were apprehended.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested cadres reportedly disclosed that they had come to sell the seized weapon on the instructions of self-styled Lance Corporal Naorem Bijoy alias Macha of UNLF (P). Police said the cadres also admitted their involvement in the earlier sale of looted arms and ammunition.
Meanwhile, based on follow-up operations, joint security forces comprising Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and CRPF conducted a cordon-and-search operation at an unauthorised UNLF (P) camp located at Lamdeng.
During the operation, security forces recovered and secured a large cache of arms and warlike stores consisting of 29 weapons, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, pistols, and other firearms.
On Thursday, the joint security forces recovered an additional 38 weapons and heavy 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.
Police appealed to the public to immediately report any information related to looted or illegally possessed weapons to the nearest police station.
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