In a decisive move against rising militancy and illegal arms trafficking in Manipur’s Jiribam district, a joint security force recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition in a well-coordinated search operation conducted between Jairolpokpi and Uchathol villages on Tuesday afternoon.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the operation was launched at 12:30 pm and concluded by 1:30 pm, yielding multiple categories of firearms, explosives, communication devices, and other combat-related equipment.
Security Agencies Involved
The hour-long combing operation was jointly conducted by the following units:
Quick Action Team (QAT) of Jiribam Commando Unit
Jiribam District Police
7th IRB (India Reserve Battalion)
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): 87 Bn, 48 Bn, 20 Bn, and 156 Bn
38 Assam Rifles
Officials confirmed that the operation was precise and intelligence-led, ensuring zero collateral damage and no civilian casualties.
Arms and Ammunition Recovered
| Type of Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sniper Rifles (.303 Modified) | 02 |
| SBBL (Single Barrel) Guns | 06 |
| DBBL (Double Barrel) Guns | 04 |
| Pompi Gun | 01 |
| Tear Gas Gun | 01 |
| Rifle Scope | 01 |
| .303 Live Rounds | 180 |
| SLR Live Rounds | 08 |
| 5.56 mm Live Rounds | 27 |
| .303 Blank Cartridges | 08 |
| SLR Blank Cartridges | 13 |
| .303 Magazines | 03 |
| SLR Magazine | 01 |
| Tube Launchers | 11 |
| Baofeng Walkie-Talkies | 09 |
| Tear Gas Shells | 08 |
Authorities React
Officials from the Jiribam District Police stated that the operation was crucial in thwarting potential armed activities by unknown groups who may have intended to use the weapons for destabilizing peace in the region.
“This recovery highlights the importance of inter-agency coordination and community intelligence. We’re actively working to identify those responsible for stockpiling these arms,” a senior police officer said.
Investigation Underway
The source and destination of the arms are currently being investigated. Authorities suspect possible links to insurgent outfits or local armed groups operating under the radar. Forensic teams have been called in to examine the weapons and their serial numbers.
Impact and Significance
This operation marks one of the largest seizures of arms in Jiribam in recent months, reinforcing the critical role of intelligence-sharing and rapid tactical response in preventing armed violence. It also comes at a time when tensions remain high across various parts of Manipur due to ethnic and political instability.
Conclusion:
The swift and coordinated action by multiple security agencies has likely averted a major threat, ensuring the safety of local communities. As investigations progress, more arrests or leads are expected in the coming days.