In a major counter-insurgency success, the Assam Rifles neutralized 10 militants and recovered a large cache of weapons during a high-risk operation near New Samtal village in Manipur’s Chandel district on May 14, 2025. The village lies close to the Indo-Myanmar border, an area known for insurgent activity and cross-border smuggling.
According to a statement from the PRO Defence, Kohima, the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of armed groups in the area. Troops from an Assam Rifles unit operating under the Spear Corps launched the operation in the Khengjoy Tehsil of Chandel, a remote and insurgency-prone region.
The forces seized seven AK-47 rifles, one M4 carbine, one RPG launcher, four single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) rifles, and a substantial quantity of ammunition and war-like stores. The identities and affiliations of the slain militants have not yet been disclosed, and investigations are ongoing.
Security officials highlighted that the porous Indo-Myanmar border continues to pose a significant security challenge. Following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the region has seen a rise in smuggling, arms trafficking, and militant activity. The recent operation represents a significant blow to these networks, disrupting potential threats to the region’s fragile stability.
The Assam Rifles’ swift and decisive action has been widely praised for its contribution to maintaining order in Manipur, a state long plagued by ethnic tensions and insurgent violence. Officials believe that the recovered weapons could provide valuable leads into the broader networks enabling insurgent activities in northeast India.
Further updates are expected as authorities continue their investigation into the militant group’s background and potential links across the border.
