Security forces in Manipur made a significant breakthrough on March 24th, carrying out two coordinated operations in the ongoing efforts to address security concerns in the state’s hill districts. These operations yielded the arrest of a key suspect and the recovery of a substantial cache of illegal arms, ammunition, and improvised weaponry.
In the first operation, Manipur Police apprehended 38-year-old Md Shanjit Khan, a resident of Thoubal district, from the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district. Khan was wanted in connection with an FIR registered at Senapati Police Station in December 2025 and is described as a suspect in a serious criminal case. The specifics of his alleged involvement are currently under investigation.
The second operation, conducted in the Kangpokpi district, proved equally critical. Security forces, executing search and area domination exercises in the general areas of Tingkhai Khullen and Nepali Khutti, recovered an alarmingly large quantity of arms and ammunition.
The seized arsenal included a 9 mm carbine with a magazine, two country-made 9 mm pistols with four magazines, and multiple country-made rifles, featuring three single-barrel bolt-action rifles and two single-barrel pull mechanism rifles. Crucially, two improvised mortars were also among the items recovered, underlining the serious nature of the threat.
In addition to the firearms, security forces found seven 12-bore cartridges, 55 rounds of varying calibers of ammunition, and approximately two kilograms of pellets.
Security officials emphasized that this substantial recovery exposes the continued presence of illegal arms within sensitive regions and emphasizes the critical need for sustained operations to neutralize threats. These actions are particularly important given the heightened vigilance currently required in Manipur’s hill districts, which have experienced intermittent tensions in recent months.
Investigations are ongoing to establish potential links between the arrested individual, Md Shanjit Khan, and the recovered weapons. Authorities are also actively working to identify any broader network involved in the illegal procurement and distribution of these arms. This success highlights the effectiveness of coordinated efforts by security forces in addressing the ongoing security challenges facing Manipur.
