IMPHAL, Dec 24: Security forces on December 23 conducted extensive search operations and area domination exercises across the vulnerable and fringe areas of hill and valley districts in Manipur to curb illegal activities and ensure security. The operations led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and explosives.

In a raid in Teijang village, Churachandpur District, security personnel uncovered three rockets, one .303 rifle with a magazine, four pistols with magazines, a pump-action firearm (Pompi), five Pompi bombs, 45 sticks of low-grade explosives, 14 detonators, and various ammunition types, including seven rounds for 7.65mm pistols, 10 rounds for 9mm pistols, one .303 rifle cartridge, and three SLR rounds.

In a separate operation near Sandangsemba Maring village in Imphal East District, security forces recovered a 7.62mm light machine gun (LMG) with a magazine, a 12-bore single-barrel gun, a 9mm pistol with a magazine, two hand grenades, two tube-launching devices, 30 rounds of 7.62mm LMG ammunition, two 12-bore cartridges, two 9mm cartridges, and two sacks in white and yellow colors.

The operations also yielded a significant cache in Lesiang village, Churachandpur District, where 40 meters of cordtex, nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with detonators, one non-electric commercial detonator, and 30 cm of safety fuse were recovered.