Security forces recover rocket and Chinese mortars in Manipur's Churachandpur
A joint operation by the Army and district police led to the seizure of an 80-kg rocket and several explosives.
Security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives in Manipur's Churachandpur district during a joint operation on 11 November, according to The Sentinel. The operation was conducted by the district police and the Army in a forested area near P Geljang village under the Kangvai sub-division.
Acting on intelligence inputs, the team seized an approximately 10-foot-long rocket weighing 80 kg. The recovery also included four 82 mm mortars of Chinese origin, six improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and five Chinese grenades.
The police statement added that the seized items included one CMG, one pistol, two single-barrel rifles, and 30 mortar bombs of 82 mm and 51 mm calibres. Five rounds of 5.6 mm ammunition were also found.
The seizure occurred amid ongoing ethnic conflict in the state that began in May 2023 between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities. This violence has resulted in at least 306 deaths, with 49 people missing and thousands displaced.
Recent months have also seen reported clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities in the region.
