New Delhi: A top commander of the outlawed Manipur insurgent group, Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) has been arrested from Delhi in a joint operation of the Delhi Police Special Cell and security agencies.
Officials claimed to have recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives from Manipur after his arrest, as reported by The Indian Express.
The arrested militant, identified as Haobijam Dilip Singh, has more than a dozen cases registered against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the police said.
According to officials, he was arrested from East Delhi’s Ghazipur area on Wednesday when he was going to meet someone, adding that he had travelled to Delhi to attend a covert meeting.
Following initial questioning, the Manipur Police and security agencies seized an extensive array of arms and warlike stores allegedl
y linked to planned attacks in Manipur and other areas in the region, a police official said.
The recovered weapons include an AK-56 rifle, an Amogh rifle, an AI rifle and an M4 rifle fitted with a scope. Empty magazines for INSAS, AK, SLR, M4 and LMG weapons were also found, the official claimed.
As many as 51 high-explosive (HE) bombs, two para bombs, 11 detonators and four lethal shells were also recovered by the security forces along with a large quantity of live ammunition.
The haul comprised roughly 2,000 rounds for Amogh, INSAS, AK, .303 and SLR rifles, the official said.
Other items seized Besides included different colored bags, a tarpaulin, plastic bags and a Redmi 13C mobile phone containing Airtel and Jio SIM cards. Authorities said forensic examination and call-data analysis of the phone is underway.
Much of the material was traced to Kakching in Manipur, where further investigations and follow-up recoveries are being coordinated with local police, officials said.
The interception and arrest thwarted what they described as a major planned attack that could have caused widespread violence in Manipur and elsewhere.
Central agencies are probing why a senior KCP leader had travelled to Delhi and whether the national capital itself was being targeted as part of any wider conspiracy, sources have said.
The actual reason behind his visit to Delhi is being probed. There is suspicion that he may have travelled to hold talks with other outfits for better coordination.