Imphal, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Security forces have arrested six militants, including a woman, and six alleged drug peddlers, also including a woman, in separate joint operations across Manipur during the past 24 hours, officials said on Monday.
The militant arrests were made in Imphal East and Imphal West districts during coordinated operations by the Manipur Police and Central forces, including the Assam Rifles.
According to a senior police official, the arrested militants are linked to banned outfits including the People’s Defence Army (PDA), People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
The accused were allegedly involved in activities including attacks on civilians, kidnapping, forcible collection of “subscriptions” and recruitment of youths for banned organisations. Security personnel recovered arms and ammunition, incriminating documents, subscription receipts, cash, seals and letterheads of the outfits, among other materials.
In separate operations in the tribal-inhabited areas of Tengnoupal and Jiribam districts, security forces recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition. The seizures included an AK-56 rifle, an INSAS Ex-Calibre rifle, two INSAS rifles, a magazine, three INSAS LMG magazines, four live rounds, three empty 9 mm pistol ammunition cases and five rounds of 5.56 mm INSAS ammunition.
Meanwhile, six alleged drug peddlers were arrested in Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts. Police said large quantities of heroin and opium, collectively worth several crores of rupees, were recovered from them.
Security forces comprising Central Armed Police Forces and the Manipur Police have continued counter-insurgency operations, including searches and area-domination exercises, in fringe, mixed-population and other vulnerable areas.
As part of the intensified security arrangements, 111 nakas and checkpoints have been established across the valley and hill districts to monitor the movement of militants, anti-social elements and suspicious vehicles.
Security forces are also providing armed escorts to trucks and other vehicles transporting essential commodities along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Convoy protection and other security measures remain in place on vulnerable stretches to ensure uninterrupted movement of passenger and goods vehicles.
FOLLOW NOW
