18 IEDs recovered after operation in Manipur, India
Indian security forces in the far eastern state of Manipur recovered a cache of arms and explosives on Tuesday 3 February, according to local police via Northeast News.
The recoveries were made from areas close to the Myanmar border, near Bongmol and SL Zougam villages in Tengnoupal district.
18 improvised explosive devices were found in the "warlike stores" and were safely disposed of by security teams on the spot. Also seized were an AK-47 rifle with a magazine, two pistols, two single-barrel rifles, 11 live rounds of ammunition, three radio sets and IED wires.
Manipur has experienced prolonged ethnic violence since May 2023 after the Meitei community demanded "scheduled tribe" status. A protest march led by tribal groups who saw the demand as an existential threat spiralled into retaliatory violence, arson and killings.
The unrest has so far claimed at least 260 lives, including civilians from the Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel. Thousands of people have also been displaced.
