3 militants arrested, explosives recovered

Three militants of the banned People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) were arrested along with highly explosive materials during a search operation by police commandos from Bashikhong area in Imphal East district, police said today.

Acting on a tip-off, a massive search operation was launched at various parts of the district yesterday during which three PREPAK cadres identified as N Inao Singh (32), Ngangbam Mangal Meitei (29) and Ngangbam Inaocha Singh (38) were arrested, they said.

Highly explosive materials, including three plastic explosive kriki (PEK), two China-make hand grenades and a remote-controlled device were recovered from their possession, sources said, adding, that the militants were planning to attack security personnel by planting the explosive materials.

During the interrogation, they confessed to the police that the explosive materials were handed over to them by a senior cadre of PREPAK identified as Dinesh Singh, who is now allegedly staying in an interior part of Myanmar, sources said.