In a significant development for the peace process in Manipur, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, CRPF, and BSF, successfully apprehended 29 insurgent cadres and seized an impressive cache of 28 weapons over a series of intelligence-based operations conducted from May 13 to May 18, 2025. These operations targeted several volatile districts, including Churachandpur, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, Senapati, Imphal East, and Imphal West.
Among the items recovered were automatic rifles, pistols, grenades, improvised mortars, and large quantities of ammunition, demonstrating the sophisticated arsenal at the insurgents’ disposal. Visuals from the operations display the confiscated arms arrayed on a green tablecloth emblazoned with the Indian Army insignia, as personnel conducted search missions in dense forest areas and documented the evidence at police facilities.
This crackdown occurs against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic strife that erupted in Manipur in 2023, sparked by a controversial “Tribal Solidarity March” in Churachandpur. The unrest has claimed over 260 lives, led to mass displacements, and caused extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure. Despite ongoing curfews and efforts from local authorities, armed violence and the illegal spread of high-tech weapons continue to pose serious challenges in the state.
Local law enforcement played a pivotal role in these operations, with significant handovers of apprehended individuals and recovered materials taking place at Kakching Police Station. Authorities confirmed that all detained insurgents and confiscated weapons have been transferred to the Manipur Police for further legal processing.
This operation follows a similar effort in October 2024, during which 26 high-grade weapons, including M16 rifles, were confiscated in Imphal East and Churachandpur. The repeated recovery of advanced arms indicates a troubling trend towards increased militarization in local conflict areas.
Security officials emphasized the critical importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating insurgency and maintaining public order. A senior Army official noted, “The success of these joint operations reflects the commitment of all involved forces to restore peace and protect civilians.”
As Manipur strives to reconcile and stabilize amidst ongoing tensions, decisive security measures such as these underscore the determination of Indian forces to neutralize threats, dismantle militant infrastructure, and foster lasting peace in the region.
