Security Operations Intensify in Conflict-Hit Manipur, Arms and IEDs Seized

Security forces have stepped up coordinated operations across Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh , targeting militant infrastructure and insurgent networks as authorities grapple with a fragile and volatile security situation in the Northeast.

In Manipur, forces dismantled 23 illegal bunkers in Ukhrul district , a region hit by recurring ethnic violence. The operation covered multiple hill villages, including Mongkot Chepu, Shongphel, Mullam, Sirarakhong and Ringue. Security personnel also recovered a 12-bore pump-action gun , live ammunition , and spent bullet shells , pointing to sustained armed activity in the area.

The crackdown comes amid an ongoing ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities , which began in 2023 and has since evolved into a prolonged low-intensity conflict . The violence has resulted in over 260 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 people , while deepening divisions between hill and valley populations. In Ukhrul, tensions involving Tangkhul Naga and Kuki groups have intensified, with fatal shootings and arson attacks reported in recent months.

In a separate operation in Tengnoupal district , security forces seized a cache of arms and explosives from T Bongmol village near the Myanmar border , a known corridor for cross-border insurgent movement . The haul included rifles, 9mm pistols , and 18 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) , which were destroyed on-site. The recovery highlights a growing trend of militarisation and use of explosives in civilian areas.

Meanwhile, in Arunachal Pradesh, a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and state police led to the arrest of three insurgents linked to the banned NSCN-K (Niki Sumi) outfit in Tirap district. The individuals Wingan Agan , Jhonny Riba , and Rajapeyu Khechan Khetey were apprehended in Khonsa with firearms, ammunition, communication devices, and narcotics , and handed over for investigation.

Officials said the operations are part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy , including area domination patrols , intelligence-based raids and inter-agency coordination. Despite these efforts, the situation remains tense, driven by ethnic mistrust, illegal arms circulation, and insurgent activity .

Experts note that restoring long-term stability will require not only security measures but also political dialogue, disarmament, and community reconciliation in one of India’s most sensitive regions.