27 Country-Made Explosives Recovered as KYKL Cadre Arrested in Manipur
In a major anti-insurgency breakthrough at the start of the new year, joint security forces comprising the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police arrested a cadre of the banned outfit Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and recovered 27 country-made explosive devices during coordinated operations on January 1, 2026.
Officials described the operation as the first significant success of joint security forces in Manipur in 2026, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-based and coordinated action against insurgent activities.
According to official sources, the operation was carried out in two phases based on specific intelligence inputs received from multiple agencies. In the first phase, the joint team apprehended an active KYKL cadre identified as Tekcham Mani Meitei, also known as Jacob (51), a resident of Wangjing Wangkhei in Thoubal district. He was arrested from his hideout at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Lane No. 5, under Imphal East district on New Year’s Day.
During the arrest, security personnel recovered several items from his possession, including one HP keyboard, one mobile phone handset and an Aadhaar card. Preliminary on-the-spot interrogation of the arrested militant led the joint forces to launch a follow-up operation in the Monglham village area under Thoubal Dam Police Station in Imphal East district.
In the second phase of the operation, the joint team recovered 27 locally manufactured explosive devices from the area. Police said the recovered bombs were safely taken to a secluded location and subsequently neutralised by experts, preventing any potential threat to public safety.
After completion of the operation, the arrested KYKL cadre was handed over to the concerned police station for further investigation and legal proceedings. Security agencies stated that further inquiries are underway to identify possible links, associates and supply networks connected to the recovered explosives.
KYKL is a proscribed militant organisation that advocates the restoration of Manipur’s lost sovereignty. Security forces reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state and said such intelligence-driven operations would continue to dismantle insurgent networks and prevent acts of violence.
