Security forces recover Chinese mortar and 10-foot-long rocket in Manipur

During a major operation in Manipur's Churachandpur district, security forces recovered a large cache of arms and explosives, which includes a 10-foot-long rocket and a China-made mortar. According to an Aaj Tak report, this operation was carried out on Wednesday in the forest area around P. Jeljang village in the Kangvai sub-division.

Based on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the district police and the army conducted a search operation in the area. During this, arms and explosives hidden in the forest were found. The recovered rocket weighs approximately 80 kg. According to the police, four China-made 82 mm mortars were found during the search. Additionally, five Chinese grenades, one CMG, one pistol, and two single-barrel rifles were also seized.

According to other reports, security forces have also recovered a total of 30 mortar bombs of various capacities, including 82 mm and 51 mm bombs. Along with this, five cartridges of 5.6 mm were also found. Finding such a large quantity of arms and explosives has led security agencies to now investigate their source and use.

During this operation, a senior cadre of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) was also apprehended by the Assam Rifles. According to a PIB report, the Assam Rifles recovered a locally made 9mm pistol, one magazine, and five live rounds from the arrested person. The apprehended individual and the recovered weapons have been handed over to the Churachandpur police station for further legal action.

This seizure of weapons comes at a time when ethnic violence has been ongoing between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since May 2023. At least 306 people have died so far in this conflict, while 49 people are still missing. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes due to the violence. Reports of clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities have also emerged in recent months. From the perspective of the state's security arrangements, finding such a large scale of rockets, mortars, and explosives from the forest is considered significant. Now the main focus of the investigation will be on whose weapons these were and with what purpose they were stored there.

Manipur is a northeastern state of India known for its complex ethnic and social fabric. Instability has been witnessed in the state for some time now due to disputes between various communities.