Imphal, October 20: Three people have been arrested and 12 firearms seized during a joint security operation in Manipur following the deadly attack at Khongban Sanurok that left three people dead and three others injured, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference at the Police Headquarters, Lhatoo said an intensive search operation was underway at S Phailenkot and neighbouring villages under Sagolmang police station. The operation involved the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).
Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of three individuals, two of whom allegedly admitted to their direct involvement in the attack, he said.
Security personnel seized 12 firearms, including INSAS rifles, AK-47s, sniper rifles, M16 rifles, a lethod gun and a handmade rocket launcher. The recovery also included 1,099 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, a Pompi bomb, Chinese hand grenades, radio sets, uniforms and poppy seeds.
Lhatoo said the weapons were recovered based on disclosures made by the accused.
In a separate operation, a joint security team comprising the Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles and the Army searched Sinai Camp, a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp.
Seventeen individuals were detained after their identities reportedly did not match the cadre lists maintained by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Kuki National Front (KNF), Lhatoo said.
A detailed investigation is underway. Security personnel also found ammunition and magazines missing from the camp, while the seized weapons were being cross-checked as part of the verification process, he added.
Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, accompanied by senior police officials, visited the site of the attack, Lhatoo said.
Assuring the public that steps were being taken to maintain law and order, he appealed to people not to believe rumours or circulate unverified information while the investigation continues.