In a recent joint operation by security forces in Manipur, a huge cache of modern weapons and drone jammers have been recovered from the hideout of militant organization United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P). According to security agencies, this is the first time that an Indian militant organization has been seen to have such advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.
On 20 May, a joint operation was conducted by Assam Rifles, CRPF and Manipur Police in Lamdeng area of Imphal West. During this period, more than 60 weapons and a large amount of military material were seized. The recovered weapons included AK series rifles, US-made M series rifles, German HK series assault rifles, carbines, shotguns, mortars and RPG-7 launchers.
However, most concern is being expressed regarding the recovery of drone jammer. According to media reports, the seized backpack drone jammer may be Taiwan-made. Apart from this, two small jammers in the shape of walkie-talkie have also been recovered.
According to experts, drone jammers are devices that disrupt radio signals between a drone and its operator. These devices emit electromagnetic signals at the same frequency at which the drone operates. This disrupts the drone’s video feed and remote connection, after which the drone either falls or is forced to return to its starting position.
This type of portable electronic warfare technology is currently used only by special signal units of the Indian Army. The Army uses them to deal with drone and IED threats especially in the Northern Command areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The price of a backpack jammer is said to be around Rs 5 to 10 lakh. Small jammers are considered effective up to about 1 kilometer and backpack jammers are considered effective up to about 5 kilometers.
Experts believe that the use of drones and counter-drone technology has increased rapidly amid the ongoing tribal violence in Manipur. Commercial drones have been used in the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Jo groups since 2023. According to reports, some militant groups have carried out incidents of dropping explosives on villages and security forces through drones.
The existence of drone jammers now indicates that militant organizations are adopting new technologies to surveil security forces and evade drone attacks by rival groups.
Security agencies fear that these devices have been smuggled from Myanmar to India. Drones and counter-drone technology have been used extensively during the ongoing civil war in Myanmar since 2021. According to a January 2026 report by the London School of Economics, Myanmar has become the world’s second largest “drone war zone”, with more than 2100 drone strikes recorded in more than 600 locations since 2021.
According to reports, Myanmar’s rebel groups are also taking the help of foreign experts and mercenaries in drone warfare. In March 2026, Indian agencies had arrested seven foreign nationals, including six Ukrainian nationals and one American national. He was accused of entering Mizoram without permission and contacting insurgent groups in Myanmar.
Security experts say this seizure highlights the sensitivity of the India-Myanmar border and the growing threat of arms smuggling. Militant organizations in the Northeast have long obtained weapons through Myanmar-based groups, but now smuggling of drones and electronic warfare technology could pose a more serious threat to national security.
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