NEW DELHI/IMPHAL : Ethnic insurgent groups from both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur are modifying looted weapons to create makeshift sniper rifles, significantly enhancing their range and lethality, officials said on Sunday.

Many of the firearms were stolen from police armouries during the 2023 unrest. Among the over 6,000 looted weapons were .303 rifles, AK-series assault rifles, INSAS rifles, and carbines. According to officials, standard .303 rifles, which have an effective kill range of around 500 metres, are being altered by adding telescopic sights and adjusting the gun’s butt and other components allowing them to shoot more accurately over greater distances.

These modifications aim to convert them into improvised sniper rifles capable of targeting opposing communities from afar. The AK-47, typically effective within a 300–400 metre range, is also being modified in some cases. Security forces, including the police, Assam Rifles, and other paramilitary units, have since recovered several of these altered weapons from different parts of the Imphal valley and hill districts, potentially preventing a serious escalation in long-range violence.

In June, Manipur Police and other security forces recovered 328 weapons during simultaneous operations across five districts of the Imphal Valley on the intervening night of June 13 and 14 from Meitei dominated insurgent groups and 203 arms in first week of July from four districts in the hill areas where Kuki insurgent groups have an upper hand.