The recovery was massive, with 328 firearms seized. These included 151 SLR rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 73 other rifles, along with carbine guns, MP5s, LMGs, AK-series weapons, and even a mortar.
Security forces in Manipur have recovered a large number of weapons and ammunition, marking an important step toward disarming civilians and seizing illegal arms that have fueled unrest in the state.
Brief of the Operation
On the night of June 13 and 14, acting on specific intelligence inputs, joint teams from Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, and the Assam Rifles carried out coordinated operations across five valley districts.
The scale of the operation was major, with security forces seizing 328 firearms. These included 151 SLR rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 73 other rifles, carbine guns, MP5s, LMGs, AK-series weapons, and even a mortar. They also recovered thousands of rounds of ammunition, grenades, and explosive devices.
Officials say these recoveries are a crucial step toward controlling the widespread spread of looted or diverted weapons, many of which disappeared during the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023.
The crackdown began after President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025, following months of violent unrest, ongoing attacks by armed groups, and a slow or soft response from the state administration.
With the central administration now in charge, led by Governor A.K. Bhalla and DGP Rajiv Singh, the focus has shifted strongly toward recovering illegal weapons and restoring law and order in the state.
Key Development
One key development was the June 8 arrest of Ashen Kanan Singh, a dismissed head constable of Manipur Police, by the CBI at Imphal airport. Police officials said Singh had links with Arambai Tenggol and had reportedly gone missing from police records after the May 2023 clashes.
His services were terminated in March after his role in cross-border arms smuggling was exposed. His arrest sparked protests in the valley areas, with Arambai Tenggol members returning to the streets in response. However, authorities clarified that the action targets individuals involved in illegal activities, not any specific organisation.
The latest arms haul includes five carbine guns, two MP5s, 12 LMGs, six AK-series rifles, two Amogh rifles, one AR-15, six pistols, two barrels, and two flare guns. Security forces also recovered 591 assorted magazines, 3,534 SLR rounds, 2,186 INSAS rounds, 2,252 .303 rounds, 234 AK rounds, 407 Amogh rounds, along with grenades, Lathode shells, detonators, and other explosive materials.
Conclusion
Security officials emphasize that disarming civilians and recovering missing weapons is key to achieving lasting peace. Manipur Police has also urged the public to share any information about illegal arms to support efforts in making the state safer.
