Imphal, March 14: In a series of joint search operations, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles along with other security forces recovered 50 weapons, a large cache of ammunition and war-like stores from four districts of trouble-torn Manipur, officials said on Friday.
A Defence spokesman said that the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, the CRPF, BSF, ITBP and Manipur Police launched Intelligence-based operations in the hill and valley districts of Chandel, Imphal West, Kakching and Thoubal districts and recovered 50 weapons, Improvised Devices, grenades, ammunition and war-like stores during the last 48 hours.
The security forces also destroyed bunkers in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur. Such bunkers were set up by both Koki-Zo and Meitei armed volunteers to defend their localities.
The Defence spokesman said that of the 50 arms recovered, the Army and Assam Rifles acting on Intelligence inputs recovered 23 improvised mortars (Pompi), three AK series rifles, one INSAS rifle, one Carbine, two muzzle loaded rifle, one 0.303 rifle, five pistols, huge quantities of ammunition and war-like stores from Laijang areas in the hilly Chandel district.
Similarly, in Thoubal district, the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police recovered two 9 mm Carbines, one 12 bore rifle, one Single Bore Barrel Rifle (SBBL) and three Pistols. One mortar, one 12 bore rifle and one pistol were recovered from Singjamei areas in Imphal West district in a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, the spokesman said.
During a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, they recovered one carbine, one 0.303 rifle and two single barrel rifles from Wangoo areas of Kakching district. The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police.
The Defence spokesman said that these coordinated efforts by security forces highlight their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and security in Manipur that has seen major strife in the last nearly two years.
IANS