Imphal: In a significant coordinated crackdown, security forces in Manipur recovered at least 29 firearms and 50 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during multiple operations across several hill and valley districts on Friday. According to an official police statement released on Saturday, March 21, 2026, the seizures targeted high-risk zones near the India-Myanmar border and areas previously affected by ethnic unrest. All recovered IEDs were reportedly destroyed on-site or under strict safety protocols following standard operating procedures.
Tengnoupal district emerged as a major flashpoint for these recoveries. In the vicinity of Loisi and Saivom villages, security personnel seized 29 IEDs along with five locally made hand grenades and electric detonators. Another 12 IEDs, four radio sets, and a grenade launcher were uncovered near the international border at Yangoubung village. Additionally, nine IEDs and a pistol were found in the SL Zougam area under the Machi police station limits. The scale of explosives found in this district highlights the ongoing threat of insurgent activity and the use of sophisticated traps in the region.
The valley districts also saw substantial recoveries of high-grade weaponry. In Kakching district’s Wabagai Turel Mamei area, forces found six firearms, including an AK-56 rifle and three grenades. Meanwhile, in Imphal West, operations in the Lamdeng and Kameng areas led to the seizure of eleven pistols, 85 live rounds of ammunition, and four camouflage bulletproof vests. Further south in Thoubal district, five additional firearms were recovered from the foothills of Tekcham Sanji Ching.
These intensive search operations have been a constant in Manipur since ethnic violence first erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023. Over the last two years, the conflict has claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands of residents. Security agencies continue to maintain a high state of alert, conducting frequent combing operations to neutralize arms caches and prevent the escalation of violence as the state struggles to return to normalcy.
