Unrest Unraveled: PREPAK Cadre Nabbed and Massive Ammunition Cache Recovered in Manipur
Short Summary
A suspected cadre of the proscribed militant outfit PREPAK, identified as Leichombam Ajitkumar Singh alias Inaotomba (30), was arrested by Manipur Police during coordinated operations in Bishnupur and Kakching districts on July 19, 2025. Authorities recovered a white Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta car, a mobile phone, and an Airtel SIM from him. Additionally, a separate raid in Chingjao Island (Pumlen Pat Lake, Kakching district) resulted in the seizure of a massive ammunition haul, including 1,406 rounds of 9 mm, 125 rounds of .303 ammunition, and seven blank cartridges. These items have been sent to the respective police stations for further investigation.
Introduction: A Blow to Insurgency
Imagine a sudden calm after a storm—one raid, one arrest, and one huge weapons seizure—and it’s as if the ground shifted under underground factions in Manipur. On July 19, police caught a PREPAK suspect and retrieved streams of ammunition—two events unfolding like puzzle pieces clicking into place. These are big wins in the state’s ongoing fight against insurgency.
The Operation: Dual Raids, Dual Impact
Let’s break it down:
Raid One – Bishnupur:
- Target: Leichombam Ajitkumar Singh, alias Inaotomba (30), from Leimaram Mamang Leikai.
- Arrest Location: Leimaram Lamkhai, Tiddim Road.
- Items Seized: Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta car, mobile phone, Airtel SIM.
Raid Two – Kakching (Chingjao Island, Pumlen Pat Lake):
- Seizure Details:
- 1,406 rounds of 9 mm
- 125 rounds of .303
- 7 blank cartridges
That’s not pocket change. It’s ammunition enough for several operations, signaling major logistical capability for militants—or was.
Why It’s a Big Deal
Think of this like cutting off the fuel line to a rogue engine. Without weapons and ammunition, militant strikes lack punch. These raids send multiple waves:
- Tactical Windfall: Limits future armed threats
- Disruption of Supply Chains: Signals leaks in the insurgent logistics network
- Catalyst for More Raids: One arrest can unravel more leads
Each weapon not recovered might have ended up in bloodshed—so this haul matters, hard.
Community Impact: Breathing Space Restored
For residents around Bishnupur and Kakching, fear often hums in the background—the thin line between safe and volatile. When police act swiftly and decisively, it lifts more than caches—it lifts hope.
Imagine roofs again resting easy, school buses running again, markets opening without the shadow of violence. That’s the soft victory in this.
The Broader Security Map
This operation didn’t come out of thin air. It’s part of a synchronized wave:
- Recent seizures across Manipur’s valley districts included 86 weapons and 974 rounds of ammunition, with grenades and IEDs.
- Similar captures in Imphal East, Bishnupur, and others show state-wide pressure.
That tells us two things: authorities are building intelligence networks and coordinating across police, CAPF, and Army/Assam Rifles on a scale unseen in calmer times.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in Manipur’s Security
What happened on July 19 wasn’t just criminal prosecution—it was a milestone in Manipur’s resilience. One PREPAK operative off the street, and mountains of ammunition off the ledger. For citizens, it’s reassurance. For militants, it’s a jolt. For authorities, it’s validation of tactics and coordination.
It’s too early to celebrate peace—but this is hope’s foothold. Peace marches with patience. Today was one step.
FAQs
1. What is PREPAK and why is its arrest significant?
PREPAK—a long-banned insurgent outfit active since 1977—represents militant resistance in Manipur. Arrests disrupt their operations, hurting their reach and morale.
2. How extensive was the ammunition recovered?
Police seized 1,406 rounds of 9 mm and 125 rounds of .303 ammunition, plus seven blank cartridges—enough to support significant militant operations.
3. Where did these raids occur?
One arrest happened in Bishnupur (Leimaram Lamkhai, Tiddim Road). The ammunition was recovered in Kakching district, near Chingjao Island, Pumlen Pat Lake.
4. What laws apply to the arrested individual?
Charges likely include under the IPC for illegal weapons and extortion, and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for membership in a banned organization.
5. What is the broader impact of these operations?
Such operations deter insurgent planning, dismantle militant logistics, reassure communities, and show coordinated intelligence-led policing—crucial for long-term stability in Manipur and the wider Northeast.
