IMPHAL, October 6: A team of Imphal West Commandos and Lamphel Police seized several explosive materials and devices from a nullah concealed in a gunny bag at Sagolband Khamnam Leirak machine on October 5 evening.
Police said the explosives were hidden at the spot by the UG cadre Sapam Ranjan who was killed during an encounter with Imphal West cdo at Takyel Khongban road under Lamphel PS on October 1. The slain body has been identified as Sapam Ranjan, 18 son of Ratan Meitei of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak.
The recovered explosives include 12 RDX slabs weighing about 500 grams each (total 6 kg), three remote controls, 15 electronic detonator wires and 12 electrical circuit boards and eight dry cell batteries.
Addressing a press conference at the Imphal Police Head Quarter conference room, SP Imphal West, L Jayentakumar said that
The recovery was made only after the establishment of the slain UG cadre’s identity.
Police investigation on the case after the establishment of the militant’s identity led to the information that he had joined the KYKL some eight years back.
It was also learnt that he was a well-trained bomb expert of the proscribed outfit and that he was assigned to carry out subversive activities in Imphal and its surrounding areas by laying IEDs at several areas targeting security forces and that he had brought into the state several explosive materials from the neighbouring country Myanmar for the said purpose.
Soon after getting this information, the police consulted with the slain cadres family members about anything unusual.
He continued that the family supported the police in tracking down the explosives.
The police officer further continued that the explosives could be triggered from a distance of 200 meter and that the explosives were assembled from before and that it could have been triggered by just attaching the detonator and the batteries.
He said the explosives which contain RDX explosives are quite powerful and of high density. It could have caused major damage, he said.
The SP further appealed to the general public to report immediately to the police in case they find anything unattended or suspicious items.