Manipur: 11 Militants of 4 Insurgent Groups Arrested
A joint operation by central and state security forces in Manipur over a 36-hour window resulted in the arrest of 11 militants connected to four underground groups — KCP-PWG, UNLF-K, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and KYKL-SOREPA. The arrests were made in multiple districts (Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Tengnoupal) and a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition, documents and electronic devices was recovered. The information comes from the Manipur police morning bulletin published on September 17, 2025
What happened — the facts as reported
Over a concentrated 36-hour counter-insurgency effort, joint teams of central and state forces arrested 11 militants tied to four different underground outfits in Manipur. The operation took place across four districts — Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Tengnoupal — and resulted not only in arrests but in the recovery of multiple firearms, rounds of ammunition, magazines and a host of documents and electronic devices that security forces often rely on to build cases and map networks. The Manipur police described the sequence of actions in their morning bulletin on September 17, 2025.
In phase-wise detail (as released by police):
- Six cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) were arrested from hideouts in Imphal East and Thoubal.
- Two active cadres of the United National Liberation Front – Koireng (UNLF-K) were apprehended at Khangabok District Hospital, under Thoubal Police Station.
- Two militants belonging to the outlawed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were captured at a hideout in Thanga village under Keibul Lamjao police station in Bishnupur.
- One active cadre of Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup, SOREPA (KYKL-SOREPA) was arrested around Border Pillar-77, Chongjang village near Moreh police station in Tengnoupal.
Security forces recovered an arsenal and a range of paraphernalia that together can be used for investigations and prosecutions. Items recovered include: an M16 rifle, five INSAS rifles, three SLR rifles, two .303 rifles, 382 rounds of ammunition across different calibers, and 26 magazines. Beyond weapons and ammo, authorities also seized multiple mobile phones and SIM cards, several Aadhaar cards, bank-related stationery (including drafted letterheads and envelopes apparently linked to KCP-PWG), seals bearing organizational imprints, a white Mahindra Bolero, ATM card(s), vehicle documents and other belongings. These items are typical of what police describe when dismantling active cells — weapons to strike, documents to fund or mask operations, and communications gear to coordinate.
A quick primer on the groups named (high level)
The four organizations mentioned in the bulletin appear in the arrests above. Rather than deep historical profiles (which could fill dozens of pages), here’s a concise, practical snapshot so readers can place who’s who:
- KCP-PWG (Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group) — described in the bulletin as proscribed; the arrest of six cadres in Imphal East and Thoubal indicates active hiding and local operational presence.
- UNLF-K (United National Liberation Front – Koireng faction) — two active cadres were detained at a district hospital, which speaks to how militants sometimes move through or seek refuge near public spaces, including medical facilities.
- People’s Liberation Army (PLA) — an outlawed armed outfit, with two militants captured in Bishnupur.
- KYKL-SOREPA (Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup, SOREPA) — a banned group; one cadre was arrested near the Moreh border area, a zone with cross-border sensitivities.
FAQs
Q1: Were any civilians hurt during these operations?
A1: The published bulletin does not report civilian casualties; it focuses on arrests and seizures. Local authorities typically share casualty information separately if any occurs.
Q2: Which districts saw the arrests and why do those locations matter?
A2: Arrests were reported from Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Tengnoupal. These areas include both urban hideouts and border-adjacent zones (Moreh area), showing militant activity across varied terrain and jurisdictions.
Q3: What will happen to the seized weapons and phones?
A3: Weapons undergo forensic analysis and are preserved as evidence. Phones and SIMs are forensically examined for call logs, messages and location data that can build cases and reveal networks. These items are critical to prosecutions.
Q4: Does the arrest of multiple groups at once mean the groups were linked?
A4: Not necessarily. Concurrent arrests can result from coordinated intelligence or separate, simultaneous actions. The presence of members from different outfits in one bulletin shows parallel activity, but linkages (or lack thereof) need to be established through investigation.
Q5: How can local communities help reduce insurgent activity?
A5: Communities can strengthen trust with police through community policing, report suspicious behavior safely, and support rehabilitation programs for those leaving militant life. Social and economic initiatives that reduce grievances also play a long-term role.
