Security forces in Manipur have recovered a
9-foot-long country-made rocket
loaded with explosives and a detonator, weighing nearly
200 kilograms
, during a search operation in
Churachandpur district
, officials said on Tuesday. The weapon was discovered between
S. Lonphai and Tuikong villages
under Churachandpur Police Station during an
intelligence-based combing, cordon, and search operation
aimed at tracking down individuals involved in extortion and other criminal activities in the region. Police said several arrests were made during the operation, though details of those detained have not been disclosed. The recovery, they added, highlights the
escalating security concerns
in the conflict-hit hill districts of Manipur. The find comes amid heightened tensions following a series of
rocket and drone attacks allegedly carried out by Kuki militants
in recent weeks. On Monday, a
rocket-propelled bomb
struck the residence of former Chief Minister
Mairembam Koireng Singh
in Moirang town of
Bishnupur district
, killing an elderly man who was offering prayers and injuring five others, including a 13-year-old girl. Officials said the discovery of such a large and improvised weapon indicates the increasing sophistication of militant groups operating in the area. Security forces have intensified surveillance and search operations in sensitive zones across
Churachandpur, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts
following the attacks. The Manipur Police and central paramilitary units are jointly conducting follow-up operations to trace the origin of the recovered rocket and prevent further escalation of violence.
