Joint security forces in Manipur conducted intensive search operations between the night of July 3 and the morning of July 4, 2025, and found a huge cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives as part of a major crackdown on illegal weapon stocks. In response to specific intelligence inputs, coordinated actions were carried out in the hill districts of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur by joint teams of the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles/Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). One of the largest seizures in recent memory resulted from the search operations, which were concentrated on probable hiding places in isolated and interior regions.
21 INSAS rifles, 11 AK-series rifles, 26 SLRs, 2 sniper rifles, 3 carbines, 17.303 rifles, 2 51mm mortars, 2 MA assault rifles, 3 M79 grenade launchers, 38 ‘Pompi’ improvised guns, numerous pistols, bolt-action rifles, and domestic firearms were among the 203 weapons recovered from the operation. The security forces also found large amounts of 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, 30 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 grenades, 9 Pompi shells, 2 Lathode grenades, and more. An important step has been taken in reducing violent conflict and destroying insurgent infrastructure in the area with the successful operation. The confiscated weapons may have been stocked for use by antisocial elements or rebel groups, according to authorities.
