Manipur: Security forces recover cache of weapons, arrest four members of insurgent group UNLF(P)
The search operation had been launched after receiving intelligence inputs about alleged attempts to sell stolen arms and ammunition.
The security forces in Manipur have seized a large cache of arms and ammunition in an operation conducted in the Lamdeng area of Imphal, and arrested four members of valley-based insurgent group United National Liberation Front (Pambei), ANI reported.
The operation began on Wednesday when the security forces received intelligence inputs about alleged attempts to sell stolen arms and ammunition in the area, India Today NE reported.
Security personnel initially apprehended two members of the UNLF(P), Heisnam Thomas Singh and Arambam Tomtom Singh, during the operation. The police recovered an InSAS light machine gun, three magazines and 14 live rounds from their possession.
Today 20.05.2026, Manipur Police arrested two cadres of UNLF (P) from Lamdeng, Imphal West, namely, 1. Arambam Tomtom (29) R/O Heibongpokpi Mayai Leikai, Lamsang, Imphal West, and 2. Heisnam Thomas R/O Mayang Imphal Kokchai.
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) May 20, 2026
From their possession, one InSAS LMG with three… pic.twitter.com/KiZuEW3fdk
However, when the process to arrest them was underway, some of their alleged associates shot at the security forces, leading to a brief exchange of fire, ANI reported.
Two more alleged members of the UNLF(P) – Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh and Chingakham Mahesh Singh – were arrested in connection with the firing, the news agency reported.
The arrested persons allegedly disclosed during interrogation that they had arrived in the area to sell the weapons “on the instruction” of UNLF(P) leader Naorem Bijoy, ANI quoted the police as saying.
They also allegedly told the police that they had been involved in selling stolen arms and ammunition earlier as well.
Based on subsequent information, a team comprising the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force carried out a cordon-and-search operation at a camp of the armed insurgent group in Lamdeng. During the operation, the security forces seized 29 weapons, including AK-series rifles, M-series rifles, pistols and other firearms, India Today NE reported.
On Thursday, the security forces recovered an additional 38 weapons, including rifles, carbines, mortars, an RPG-7 launcher, an anti-drone jammer and a large number of explosives, ANI reported.
Ethnic clashes had broken out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities in Manipur in May 2023, leaving at least 260 persons dead and more than 59,000 persons displaced. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024 and 2025.
Edited by Nachiket Deuskar.
