Imphal: In an interesting development, a Muslim arms smuggler’s racket has been busted by security forces in trouble-torn Manipur and arrested four members of the racket.
In the early morning of June 27, a combined security team arrested four people, including an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, in connection with the smuggling of arms to violence-hit Manipur. The four arms smugglers were arrested during a search operation in Imphal East District on June 27, police sources said.
Acting on a tip-off regarding the presence of a gang of arms smugglers, a combined team of Imphal East District Commando, Heingang police and 16th Jat regiment carried out search operations at Kairang Awang Leikai, Khomidok and Heikhrumakhong. The four arms smugglers who were arrested from the hideout have been identified as Md Nur Safi (23), Md Sanai (46), Md Rada Rashid (50) and Md Hasan (40).
Security forces recovered one 9MM Carbine with one empty magazine, One point 22 pistol, one empty magazine, one air pistol, two 5.56 mm INSAS magazines, One point 3 note 3 LMG magazine, 21 numbers of 7.62 MM live ammunition, 2.5 lakhs in cash, mobile phones and two four wheelers. On the other hand, acting upon a specific intelligence input regarding attempts to smuggle weapons, ammunition, explosives and other war-like stores to Manipur via Nagaland, a joint operation of Assam Rifles and Kohima police was launched at 2 am on June 26 2023. Two search parties of Assam Rifles spotted a passenger vehicle and kept it under surveillance. At 6 am, the teams jointly searched the vehicle and recovered two pistols with four magazines, ammunition, explosives, and other war-like stores, an Assam Rifles statement said.
The successful operation by Assam Rifles and the Police has foiled an attempt of a major incident by the inimical elements on the security forces and Government agencies deployed in Manipur, the statement further said.
On June 25, the Manipur police and central security forces destroyed as many as 12 bunkers constructed by militant groups. Army, Assam Rifles, central Paramilitary forces and Manipur police conducted several counter-insurgency operations in various districts in the violence-hit State and destroyed 12 bunkers constructed by militant groups in the last 24 hours, police said on June 26.
A statement issued by Manipur Police stated that the police and central forces carried out a search operation in Tamenglong, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Kakching districts and destroyed the 12 bunkers. These bunkers were allegedly made by militant groups to hide after attacks on civilians and security forces.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered by the security forces from those destroyed bunkers. Police said that during the search, three 51 mm mortar shells and three 84 mm mortar shells were found in the paddy field of Sahumphai village, and one IED (Improvised explosive device) was found in a paddy field between Kangvai and S. Kotlian villages. The mortar shells and IED were defused at the spot by the State Bomb Disposal Team,” said the statement.
According to the security adviser of the Manipur Government, Kuldeep Singh, a total of 1100 arms, 13702 ammunition, and 250 bombs of different types have been recovered so far by the security forces across the State.
It should be mentioned that mobs in violence-hit Manipur looted over 4,000 weapons, along with hand grenades and ammunition, creating a major security challenge for the security forces. These weapons were used in massive violence that has continued in Manipur since May 3.
