Imphal, June 23, 2025 – Police in Manipur have arrested four militants belonging to the banned outfit PREPAK (PRO) in Imphal East district. The arrests, made on Sunday, led to the discovery and seizure of a significant amount of arms and ammunition.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Thingbaijam Philip Singh, Lourembam Kumar Meitei, Laishram Haridas, and Yumnam Akash Singh. They were apprehended from various locations within the district.
Based on information provided by the arrested militants, a search operation was carried out in the foothills of Kalika, also in Imphal East district. This operation resulted in the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and explosives.
The seized items include four self-loading rifles (SLRs) with 10 magazines, one light machine gun (LMG), one .303 modified sniper rifle with two magazines, 82 cartridges, five hand grenades, and nine detonators.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to curb militant activities and illegal arms possession in Manipur. The state has been experiencing ethnic unrest and violence, making such seizures crucial for maintaining peace and stability.
Security forces have been conducting intensified intelligence-based combing operations and cordon-and-search efforts across various districts, including Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, and Senapati. These operations have led to multiple arrests of militants from various proscribed groups and the recovery of numerous weapons and explosives.
Earlier reports indicate that a total of 17 militant cadres have been arrested across Manipur’s hill and valley districts between June 16 and June 22, 2025, in joint operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, CRPF, and BSF. These crackdowns have also yielded over 24 firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mortars, and various other “war-like stores.”
Authorities stated that efforts to dismantle militant networks and secure arms caches will continue as part of their commitment to ensuring law and order in the region.
