By Savikalpa Thapa
Two potent improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found and safely destroyed in Jiribam district on Sunday, October 5, saving Manipur’s security forces from a major tragedy.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Assam Rifles personnel carried out an operation in Makha Basti, a locality near the Assam–Manipur border. During the search, the team recovered two improvised explosive devices, each weighing around 12 kilograms. They also seized 12 metres of Cordex, a detonating cord commonly used to trigger blasts, along with three electric power sources of about 500 grams each.
A bomb disposal unit reached the area soon after the recovery. The explosives were defused through a controlled blast, and the operation ended safely with no injuries or damage, officials confirmed.
Security officers said the recovery underlines the importance of constant alertness in border areas still vulnerable to insurgent threats. Over the past few months, the Assam Rifles has intensified patrols across Manipur to curb the movement of arms and explosives amid continuing tension in the state.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February and remains on high alert after a year of ethnic violence and unrest. Authorities said their focus now is on maintaining calm and preventing any new flare-ups.
No group has claimed responsibility for planting the explosives so far. Investigators are trying to trace their origin and find out whether the devices were meant for use in Jiribam or to be moved elsewhere in Manipur.
Officials credited quick coordination and timely intelligence for preventing what could have become a serious security incident, calling the recovery a significant success for the forces operating in the border district.