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Security forces — in a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation — dismantled five temporary camps of suspected underground outfits across four districts of Manipur and recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives, including INSAS and AK-series rifles, mortars, improvised explosive devices and walkie-talkies. The raids happened during anti-insurgency sweeps carried out by joint teams of central security forces and local police; seized material has been handed over to local police stations for legal action.

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Where and how the raids unfolded — the nuts and bolts

The operation was reported to have unfolded on a Thursday, when joint teams of central forces and civil police moved quickly on intelligence tips. The five dismantled camps were located at:

• Phubala Patton Mamang under Moirang police station in Bishnupur district;
• Foothills of Uran-Chiru village under Sagolmang police station in Imphal East;
• Between Jairolpokpi and Mongbung Meitei villages under Jiribam police station;
• Kotzim village under New Keithelmanbi police station in Kangpokpi; and
• A jungle area between Maohing and Changoubung villages (also in Kangpokpi).

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Exactly what was recovered — a worrying inventory

Here’s the inventory, in plain language, because specifics matter:

• Automatic and semi-automatic rifles: INSAS rifles (with magazines), AK-56 and Ghatak AK-47 variants, an SLR with a magazine, an MP5 with magazines, and a 9mm carbine.
• Single-barrel, bolt-action and country-made weapons: several single-barrel and pull-mechanism rifles, country-made muzzle-loaders.
• Explosives and ordnance: three improvised mortars, five hand grenades, and 30 vials of gunpowder.
• Support equipment: Baofeng walkie-talkie set, two radio sets (reported in other recoveries), 100 lead pieces and iron rods used for filling gunpowder.
• Ammunition: dozens of live rounds for AK calibres and other weapons.

This isn’t a garage-sale stash. It’s a mixed arsenal: infantry-grade rifles you see in theatres of low-intensity conflict, technical components for IEDs and mortars, plus communication gear. The presence of both standardized military rifles and improvised or country-made arms suggests a hybrid logistics line — some weapons reach them via black markets or cross-border routes, while others are jury-rigged locally. That’s important because tearing down one supply line doesn’t end the problem if another remains open.

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FAQs

1) Were any militants arrested during these raids?
Reports indicate several arrests in coordinated operations across late August; police said detainees include active cadres believed to be part of proscribed outfits, though investigation is ongoing.

2) What kinds of weapons were found?
Investigators recovered a mix including INSAS and AK-series rifles, an SLR, an MP5, a 9mm carbine, improvised mortars, hand grenades, gunpowder vials, communication gear and various live rounds.

3) Which districts were the camps in?
Dismantled camps were reported in Bishnupur, Imphal East, Jiribam and Kangpokpi districts, across five specific locations

4) Do these recoveries mean Manipur is now safer?
They improve short-term safety by removing weapons and reducing immediate attack capacity. Lasting security, however, depends on follow-up investigations, successful prosecutions, and disruption of supply chains.

5) How do such operations help local communities?
Beyond the immediate reduction in weapons, successful operations that are legally rigorous and followed by community outreach can reduce extortion, improve market confidence and encourage civilians to cooperate with police—helping to restore normal life.

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