In what is being hailed as a major breakthrough in restoring law and order in strife-torn Manipur, a massive cache of arms and ammunition was recovered by Manipur Police in a joint operation with the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The coordinated crackdown was carried out across the outskirts of five valley districts during the intervening night of June 13 and 14.
The overnight operation, backed by specific intelligence inputs, resulted in the recovery of an astonishing 328 firearms, including high-powered weapons such as 151 Self-Loading Rifles (SLR), 65 INSAS rifles, 73 assorted rifles, 5 carbine guns, and 2 MP-5 guns. Alongside the firearms, a significant quantity of explosives and other war-like stores were seized, marking one of the largest arms hauls in recent times in the region.
Briefing the media, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said the seizures signified not just a tactical victory but a meaningful stride towards restoring peace in the violence-affected northeastern state.
#BREAKING: Major Recovery of Arms and Ammunition by Manipur Police and Security Forces. In the intervening night of 13.06.2025 and 14.06.2025 on receipt of specific intelligence regarding presence of large cache of arms and ammunition etc. stashed in different areas of valley… pic.twitter.com/i8JTApU8BX
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 14, 2025
“These operations mark a major achievement for the Manipur Police and the security forces in their continued efforts to restore normalcy, maintain public order, and ensure the safety and security of citizens and their properties,” said ADGP Lhatoo, exuding confidence that such efforts would eventually lead to lasting peace in the region.
The coordinated action comes amid months of ethnic tensions and violent disturbances that have plunged the state into a prolonged security crisis. Over the past year, hundreds of lives have been lost, and thousands displaced from their homes. Armed miscreants looting police armories and using sophisticated weapons had become a common concern—casting a long shadow over Manipur’s fragile law and order situation.
The recovery of such huge quantity of weapons in the trouble-hit state is considered as a huge success for the security forces in their ongoing operations. The success is shown as a coordinate efforts of the security agencies on ground.
Local residents in the valley districts, long caught between fear and uncertainty, have welcomed the action with cautious optimism. For families that have endured months of insecurity, the crackdown offers a glimmer of hope that peace may gradually return to their lives.
Security officials say the recovered arms will now be forensically examined to trace their origins and linkages. Investigations are also underway to ascertain whether any organized armed groups or external forces were behind the stockpiling of such weapons. As the forces remain on high alert, more such search operations are likely to continue in the coming days. Along with the huge recovery of arms and ammunition the security forces were also able to nab many militants involved in violent activities.
