In a significant operation against insurgent-linked arms trafficking, police in Manipur have seized a large cache of sophisticated U.S.-origin firearms allegedly smuggled from Myanmar and arrested five individuals, including a top functionary of the proscribed United National Liberation Front-Pambei (UNLF-P).
The crackdown, conducted last Monday in Imphal East, followed intelligence inputs about illegal arms dealers operating in the region. Led by Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Balwal, the operation began with the arrest of Lanchenba Nongthombam, 24, at Nongmeibum Ayanpalli. He was allegedly found to be selling unlicensed firearms and ammunition using forged documents.
During interrogation, Nongthombam disclosed that the weapons were supplied by Sinam Somendro Meitei, alias Pankhei or Richard, of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai. Somendro, who holds the self-styled rank of ‘Lieutenant Colonel’ in the UNLF-P, admitted to joining the outfit in 1995 and undergoing arms training in its 12th batch in 1997, officials said.
A search of Somendro’s residence yielded a major arms haul comprising high-grade U.S.-made firearms, including models from Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Glock, Browning, KelTec, and Beretta, along with assorted ammunition, three iPhone 16 handsets and a Baofeng wireless communication device.
Although the UNLF-P is officially under a tripartite peace accord with the Centre and Manipur government, the recovery of such advanced weaponry has alarmed security agencies. A senior intelligence official told The Statesman, “The presence of these arms during a ceasefire raises serious red flags.”
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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspects the weapons may have been channelled through militant networks operating across the India–Myanmar border, particularly the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and the Arakan Army. The latter is believed to control a strategic “humanitarian corridor” in Bangladesh linking to Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
“We suspect the arms were smuggled sent to Myanmar through the ‘humanitarian corridor’ in Bangladesh connecting Rakhine state, presently under control of armed ethnic group Arakan Army. Bangladesh’s interim government is also allowing the US armed forces to access the corridor which is India’s concern and the recovery of the US-made firearms, smuggled from Myanmar, has deepened our security worries,” a senior MHA official stated.
Further inquiries led to the arrest of three more individuals: Henthoi from Jiribam, Rajkumar Abothe Singh of Imphal West, and Rameshwor Thokchom of Kongpal Mutum Leikai. Officials believe this network may have deeper ties to past smuggling operations.
Among those arrested, Lanchenba Nongthombam is reportedly related to a prominent Meitei politician, prompting investigators to explore possible political patronage. Authorities are also examining connections to Khundongbam Lanjingba, a known arms trafficker who served time in a Myanmar prison between 2010 and 2012 for similar offences.
The seizure has revived concerns about the permeability of India’s eastern borders and the threat posed by cross-border insurgent alliances and weapons smuggling, especially as U.S.-origin arms surface in insurgency-prone Northeast regions.
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