Imphal: Three persons were detained after security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in parts of Ukhrul district to trace those behind the ambush on Assam Rifles earlier this month, in which two personnel were killed, official sources said on Tuesday.Police said the operation was carried out in TM Kasom, Litan and Sikibung villages.In a related development, the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) alleged that four villagers were arrested during a combing operation by a joint team of Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and Army units early Tuesday.In a statement, the TNL said four residents of Sharkaphung village in Kamjong district were picked up and that their whereabouts were not known at the time of issuing the statement.The TNL identified them as Wungphayo Kasar, 24, A S Ninglum, 29, Yaoreingam Lungleng, 24, and Vareiyo Lungleng, 56. It demanded their release within 24 hours, warning that failure to do so could trigger civil unrest against the state govt.Late in the evening, official sources said a total of four persons were detained in operations in Ukhrul district. However, there was no official confirmation on whether all four were suspects in the Assam Rifles ambush.Meanwhile, security forces recovered arms, explosives and communication equipment during separate search operations in Churachandpur district on Tuesday.In the forest area of K Thenjang village under Churachandpur police station, security forces recovered an AK rifle with a magazine, a pistol, two single-barrel guns, two country-made pistols, an air gun, one RPG round, a hand grenade, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one PEK explosive, three pumpis, four hand-held radio sets, two chargers, four bulletproof jackets and 44 empty cartridge cases.In another operation in the forest area of Gothol village under the same police station, Manipur Police recovered an INSAS rifle with a magazine, a locally made single-barrel gun, five locally made hand grenades, 25 empty cartridges, nine live rounds, binoculars, two 9 mm magazines, three Baofeng hand-held radio sets and military gear, including chest pouches and helmets.In a separate operation, security forces arrested one Sanasam Ibocha alias Abocha Singh, 42, from his residence at Uyumpok Mamang Leikai under Sagolmang police station in Imphal East district.Police said an AK-56 rifle, a .32-calibre pistol with a magazine and 27 rounds of live AK-56 ammunition were seized from his possession.
