Security forces recovered a substantial cache of sophisticated weapons, explosives and communication equipment from multiple locations across Manipur on January 24 and 25, 2026, highlighting intensified operations to dismantle illegal arms networks and prevent escalation of violence in the state.
According to official sources, the recoveries were made during coordinated, intelligence-based search operations in forested, foothill and vulnerable habitation areas across Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Jiribam districts.
On January 25, a major haul was recovered from the Terakhongshang forest area of Teijang village under Churachandpur Police Station. The seized items included an M-A II MK II rifle with magazine, an AK magazine, 66 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, two high-explosive hand grenades, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing around 3.5 kg each, and a muzzle-loading barrel gun.
The same day, another recovery was made from Gourasingh Lok in the Luwangsangbam area under Heingang Police Station in Imphal East district. Security forces seized four high-explosive hand grenades, two electric detonators, a stun grenade, 21 live rounds of ammunition, 12 empty 7.62 mm cartridge cases, two INSAS LMG empty magazines and two bayonets.
Further operations on January 25 in the Kakmayai Lamkhai area under Nongpok Sekmai Police Station in Thoubal district led to the recovery of a double-barrel breech-loading (DBBL) gun, four high-explosive grenades, six IEDs, two magazines of different arms, 138 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, three 12-bore cartridges and five detonators.
In another significant recovery, arms and explosives were seized from the foothill area of Jairolpokpi village under Jiribam Police Station. The cache included an SLR with magazine, seven locally made 12-bore single-barrel guns, two ‘Pompi’ launchers, a Para bomb, two IEDs, six magazines of different arms, 121 live rounds of ammunition, five empty Pompi shell cases and two walkie-talkie sets.
On January 24, security forces recovered another cache from Iroisemba Ching under Lamphel Police Station in Imphal West district. The seizure comprised an IED weighing approximately 3.5 kg, a wireless handset with charger, five hand grenades, three carbine magazines, 102 live rounds of ammunition, two empty .303 cartridge cases, 11 live lathode shells, three live tear smoke shells, nine detonators and an arm ring.
A separate operation on the same day at Elangba Ching in the Wangoo area under Wangoo Police Station in Kakching district resulted in the recovery of a Ghatak assault rifle, two DBBL guns, three single-barrel breech-loading guns (SBBLs), four high-explosive grenades, two magazines of different arms, four tube-launching devices, 35 live rounds of ammunition, 14 empty cases, eight tear smoke grenades, eight tear smoke shells, two Baofeng handsets with chargers, a bulletproof jacket without plate, an HYT mobile radio, two pairs of boots and three helmets.
Security officials said the recoveries reflect sustained efforts to curb the circulation of illegal arms and explosives in sensitive areas of the state. Investigations are underway to trace the source and intended use of the seized items, while search operations continue in vulnerable pockets across Manipur.
