Security forces have arrested a militant and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Manipur, police said on Friday. The militant, identified as Md Tajuddin Shah (37), was arrested from Khurai Chairen Thong area in Imphal East district on Thursday. He was an active member of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) outfit, a statement said.
Besides, in an unrelated operation, security forces seized a large cache of arms and ammunition belonging to the proscribed organisation People’s Liberation Army (PLA), days after the arrest of the prime accused in the ambush on Assam Rifles that killed two personnel and injured five others at Nambol Sabal Leikai in Bishnupur district on September 19. The arrested militant belonged to the PLA. The haul included a 7.62 SLR rifle with magazine, a carbine with magazine, a rifle, two single-bore action rifles, an SBBL PAG, two Chinese-made hand grenades, a locally-made explosive, and several live rounds of different calibres.
Security forces also seized 10 bulletproof jackets, 40 camouflage pants, 32 shirts, 17 caps, six magazine pouches, 21 belts, 13 pairs of boots, a backpack, a helmet, two handheld radio sets with chargers, a tear smoke shell, an INSAS magazine, and insignia bearing the name and badge of PLA. Officials said search operations and area domination exercises are continuing in vulnerable and fringe areas across multiple districts to counter insurgent activities and prevent militant regrouping.
