Security forces recover 80 kg rocket and Chinese mortars in Manipur
A joint operation by the Army and district police led to the seizure of explosives and arms in Churachandpur.
Security forces recovered a nearly 10-foot-long rocket weighing approximately 80 kg, four Chinese-origin mortars, and several explosives from a jungle area in Manipur's Churachandpur district, according to The Pioneer on Thursday.
The recovery was made by a joint team of the Army and district police on Wednesday in the forested area near P Geljang village under the Kangvai sub-division. The operation was conducted following intelligence inputs.
The seized cache included six improvised explosive devices (IEDs), five Chinese grenades, one CMG, one pistol, and two single-barrel rifles. Authorities also recovered 30 mortar bombs of 82 mm and 51 mm calibres, along with five rounds of 5.6 mm ammunition.
The seizure comes amid ongoing security concerns in the state. Ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities began in May 2023 and has resulted in at least 306 deaths and 49 missing persons.
Clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities have also been reported in recent months as thousands of people have been displaced by the violence.
