Joint Assam Rifles-Manipur Police raid in Lamdeng on May 21 yields rifles, ammo, and comms gear; official details awaited
Edited by Nengcha Haokip, Kukiland Express Desk
Songpi: May 21, 2026
Security forces recovered a substantial cache of weapons and military equipment during a coordinated joint operation in the Lamdeng area of Imphal West district on May 21. The raid marks one of the larger seizures reported in the district in recent weeks and comes amid ongoing efforts by state and central forces to curb the circulation of illegal arms in the region. Officials familiar with the development said the operation was intelligence-driven, targeting locations suspected of housing arms moved during periods of unrest.
The operation was carried out jointly by troops of the Assam Rifles and personnel from the Manipur Police and state forces. Acting on specific inputs, the combined teams moved into the Lamdeng area early on May 21 and conducted extensive searches across identified sites. The coordinated approach between central and state units reflects the continued emphasis on joint operations to address security challenges in the valley districts. Local sources indicated that the presence of security personnel was visible in the area for several hours during the raid.
According to preliminary information, the seizure included several rifles, other weapons, and a significant quantity of ammunition. Communication equipment was also reportedly recovered from the location. While exact numbers and the types of arms have not yet been officially released, officials described the cache as “large” and said it could have had serious security implications if it remained in circulation. The recovered items have been secured for further documentation and forensic examination.
Police officials are expected to address the media soon to provide a comprehensive briefing on the operation. The briefing is likely to include details of the specific weapons recovered, the possible origin of the cache, and whether any individuals were detained in connection with the raid. Authorities have not confirmed any arrests so far. The seizure will form part of ongoing investigations into illegal arms networks operating in the state.
Further details are awaited as security agencies complete the formal inventory of the recovered materials. The operation in Lamdeng underscores the sustained focus of law enforcement on tracking and neutralizing illegal weapon stockpiles in Manipur. Officials have repeatedly appealed to the public to share information regarding hidden or looted arms to aid recovery efforts across the state.
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