Indian Army and Assam Rifles teams detected and neutralised 27 improvised explosive devices along an eight-kilometre stretch of the Shangkhalok–Pilong road in Manipur’s Kamjong district, near the India–Myanmar border, in an operation that secured a route used by local communities and security forces.
The Army’s Spear Corps said on X that the IEDs were found along the Shangkhalok–Pilong route. The security forces have not identified the organisation responsible for planting them or disclosed whether the devices were intended for civilians, patrols or another target.
The Army described the operation as having foiled attempts by “anti-national elements” to disrupt peace. It said the action helped safeguard border communities and reaffirmed the vigilance of security forces deployed along the international boundary.
The road runs through a rugged and forested part of Kamjong, where difficult terrain and limited state presence have historically enabled the movement of armed groups, weapons and supplies. Its importance extends beyond security operations: the route is also used by people living in the border communities along the Shangkhalok–Pilong corridor.
The discovery comes amid continuing tension in the area. Four Tangkhul Naga civilians were shot dead near Pilong village last month, according to the report. Pilong is located in a remote sector close to Myanmar, where access, mobility and security are closely linked because roads serve both as local connections and as routes for patrolling and emergency response.
The neutralisation of the devices removes an immediate explosive threat from the identified eight-kilometre stretch, but the incident also highlights the operational difficulties of maintaining safe connectivity in Manipur’s border belt. Sparse infrastructure and challenging topography can make detection, surveillance and access more difficult for both residents and security personnel.
The Army and Assam Rifles did not announce further details about the devices, the suspected planting timeline or any arrests. The security forces’ next steps in the area will determine how the route is monitored and used by border communities and patrol teams.
