Security forces carried out a large-scale operation in Manipur’s Ukhrul district and destroyed 21 illegal bunkers. The action came days after a Border Security Force (BSF) constable was killed during crossfire in the region. Officials said the operation also led to the recovery of explosives and weapons from different locations.

According to police, the crackdown followed the death of BSF constable Mithun Mandal from the 170 Battalion. He was fatally hit by a bullet during an exchange of fire between rival armed groups on April 10 in the Ukhrul district. The incident reportedly took place between suspected Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul Naga village volunteers near Mongkot Chepu village under Litan police station.

After the incident, joint teams of Manipur Police, BSF, CRPF, and the Indian Army launched a coordinated combing operation. The operation was conducted between 5 am and 10 am on Saturday in the Mongkot Chepu and Sikibung areas. The aim was to track down those responsible and dismantle militant infrastructure in the region. During the drive, security personnel demolished 14 bunkers in Sikibung village and seven more in Mongkot Chepu. They also recovered 11 empty cartridge cases from the sites.

Police stated that these bunkers had been built illegally by armed miscreants. They were suspected of having been used as firing points and hideouts during clashes in the area. Following the demolition, security forces continued area domination, search, and sanitisation operations in nearby locations. This was done to prevent further violence and to identify those involved in the firing that led to the constable’s death.

In a separate operation, security forces recovered a cache of arms and explosives in the Moreh area of Tengnoupal district. The recovered items included two 9mm pistols with magazines, two combat uniforms, and 13 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Officials said the explosives were safely destroyed at the site to remove any risk to civilians and security personnel.

Authorities confirmed that an FIR has been registered at Litan Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Investigations are currently underway to identify the armed miscreants responsible for the attack and to take further action.

Meanwhile, the body of the slain BSF constable is being transported to his native village in Malda district of West Bengal for his last rites. The incident has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in parts of Manipur, where tensions between local armed groups continue to pose challenges for law enforcement agencies.