Security Forces Seize Large Illegal Arms Cache in Manipur

Joint security forces successfully recovered a large collection of weapons, explosives, and tactical gear from the Khema Reserved Forest in Manipur on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The operation took place in the Imphal East district following specific intelligence gathered by authorities. The joint teams of Manipur Police and central security forces conducted the search operation near the Forest Beat Officer office in the Napet Palli area.

Details of Recovered Weapons and Explosives

During the search of the forest area, security personnel discovered a variety of dangerous items hidden by unknown individuals. The seizure included four 9mm pistols with magazines and two single-barrel guns. The recovery also contained high-explosive ordnance, specifically 14 hand grenades, two stun shells, one rubber bullet, and a suspected Improvised Explosive Device weighing 4.6 kg. Additionally, officials found 162 live rounds of ammunition along with 26 empty shell casings and two extra magazines.

Tactical Gear and Ongoing Investigation

Beyond the weaponry, the forces found several items used for field operations and communication. This included military-style uniforms, a bulletproof iron plate with a jacket cover, an ammunition charger, and a handheld communication set. All recovered items are now under the custody of local police to undergo forensic analysis and proper bomb disposal procedures. Following this discovery, security agencies have increased patrolling throughout the forest belt. A formal investigation is currently underway to identify the group responsible for hoarding these materials in the Manipur region.