Imphal: Security personnel prevented a major incident as they recovered large explosives, including IEDs, that were stored by alleged Kuki terrorists in the trouble-hit Manipur. When a sizable number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in the mountainous areas close to Bongjang and Itham villages in the Imphal East district, a serious threat to life and property was avoided in a rapid and significant operation carried out by the Indian Army and Manipur Police.
Based on specific intelligence, the Manipur Police and Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army’s Red Shield Division moved quickly to conduct a search operation using Army Explosives Detection Dogs. They seized seven IEDs, totaling about 28.5 kg. Red Shield Engineers specialists disarmed the retrieved IEDs. Consequently, averting a catastrophic tragedy and guaranteeing the preservation of innocent bystanders’ lives. The knowledgeable and experienced members of the elite Red Shield Engineers seized charge of the situation and, in a race against time, neutralised all seven IEDs, preventing a catastrophic event, showing complete disregard for personal safety and security.
This IED recovery is the security forces’ second significant haul in the last three months. On July 20, 2024, eight IEDs weighing 33 kg were successfully recovered in the hilly areas of Saichang Itham, Imphal East, and they had already been neutralised by the skilled engineers of the Indian Army’s Red Shield Division. In addition to ensuring the safety and security of the area and delivering a strong message to anti-national elements, the Indian Army’s prompt response in tandem with the Manipur Police has once again demonstrated the smooth coordination among the security services. The violence in Manipur escalated since the beginning of the month when Kuki terrorists attacked Meitei villagers and security forces using drone bombs and RPGs. Additional security forces have been deployed in the state by the central government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that 30 kilometres of the Manipur border between India and Myanmar had been effectively fenced in less than 100 days, marking a significant step toward enhancing border security. The Indian government has approved funding to fence the entire 1,500-kilometre border in an effort to stop illegal immigration into Manipur, according to the Union Home Minister. He also said that “We have started the fencing of the root cause of the problem, the India-Myanmar border”.
