Imphal: Sophisticated weapons including AK-47 Rifles, and AK-47 (Ghatak) INSAS rifles (Excalibur) were reportedly recovered in operations by the central and state forces at different hotspots of Manipur’s Churachandpur district.
According to the Manipur police control room, a late-night report on Monday states that preliminary verification indicated that the recovered arms were part of arms looted from the police station.
During the search operation at a hotspot in Churachandpur district, one AK-47 Rifle with one magazine, one AK-47 (Ghatak) with one magazine, and one INSAS (Excalibur) with one magazine was recovered on Monday, the report said.
Notably, more than 6,000 arms have been looted from security forces since ethnic violence between Kuki and Meitei communities erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023.
Out of them, 1,500 arms have been recovered from commoners while more than 4,500 arms are still in the open.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence wing press statement said that acting on specific intelligence of the presence of arms and ammunition in general area L Khonomphai, near Sangaikot, Churachandpur district, Manipur, the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a joint operation and recovered 15 weapons including 11 single barrel rifles, one Pistol, three Mortar and ammunition.
The recovered items were handed over to Manipur Police.