The discovery of a sizable arsenal of weapons and ammunition from two different sites in Manipur on Tuesday marked a major victory for security forces in their fight against insurgency. The following weapons were found by the forces in the Songpi village area under Churachandpur Police Station, Churachandpur district: One M79 grenade launcher, six single-barrel rifles, four 9mm handguns with three magazines, and one magazine-equipped.22 rifle. In the meantime, Sekmai Police Station, Imphal West district, conducted another coordinated operation in the Nobap Makhong neighborhood of Chanbirok Hill. A sizable cache of locally made weapons and explosives was seized as a result of the operation.
A single air weapon, 1 Lethod-style firearm manufactured locally, 1 locally manufactured mortar, four “Pompi” rifles built locally and affixed to bipods, 2 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of the shell type, 3 IEDs installed in PVC pipes, 303 LMG magazines that are empty, 7.62 LMG magazines that are empty, 4 plates that are bulletproof and composed of different materials, 2 helmets that blend in, 2 vests that are bulletproof, a single BAOFENG radio device. The provenance and intended purpose of the seized weapons are still being investigated.