In a significant operational success against insurgency, security forces have apprehended an active cadre of the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) and recovered a large cache of arms and explosives in a series of coordinated actions within the Imphal East district. The operation began on October 27 when security personnel successfully located and arrested Moirangthem Pakpa Meitei, also known as Athouba (43), a resident of Langdum Awang Leikai, at his residence under the Irilbung Police Station jurisdiction. During this initial arrest, forces secured two No. 36 hand grenades along with two igniters that were found in his possession.
Following the apprehension, security forces conducted a targeted follow-up operation the very next day, October 28, which led to the discovery of a substantial stockpile of weapons and ammunition. This extensive cache was recovered from the foothills of Ngariyan Hill, situated in the Keirao Wangkhem area, also falling under the Irilbung Police Station.
The seized items included a diverse array of firearms and ordnance: one 12-bore double-barrel rifle, two 12-bore single-barrel rifles, and one .32 pistol complete with its magazine. The recovered explosives inventory further detailed two No. 36 hand grenades, a 51 mm mortar HE shell, and two tear smoke shells, alongside an assortment of ammunition. Specifically, the haul comprised fifteen live rounds of assorted ammunition, two 5.56 mm INSAS rifle magazines, and three .303 ammunition charger clips, all contained within a sack bag. Authorities have promptly initiated a detailed investigation to precisely determine both the origin of the recovered weapons and their intended use. In light of these events, security measures have been further intensified across the region to effectively deter and prevent any potential subversive activities.
