Imphal, Aug 24 : Sleuths of National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday night recovered nine 9mm pistols from the residence of P. Haokip, the 'commander-in-chief' of the United Kuki Liberation Front, a signatory to the peace pact with the Centre.

The UKLF is an insurgent outfit in Manipur whose members came overground after signing Suspension of Operations pact with the Centre and Manipur government. Though there have been no talks so far, the outfit's leaders are allowed to remain overground.

Official sources said that soon after the installation of the BJP-led government in Manipur in 2017, the government found that 56 9mm pistols and 58 magazines were missing from the 2 Manipur Rifles' battalion in Imphal.

Chief Minister N. Biren, who also holds the Home portfolio said, "We had decided to hand over the case to the NIA since the matter concerns national security".

Officials said NIA sleuths have so far recovered 14 pistols which are part of the missing 56 hand guns.

As part of the investigation, the NIA sleuths raided the houses of the UKLF chief located at Mantri Pukhri in Imphal and Pallel in Chandel district.

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Dubai (PTI): Three Indian nationals were injured on Monday after a fire broke out on the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ) in the UAE following a drone strike originating from Iran, according to local media reports.

The relevant authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah confirmed that a fire has broken out in the FOIZ, resulting from a drone attack coming from Iran, the state-run WAM news agency reported.

Fujairah Civil Defence teams immediately responded to the incident and are continuing efforts to bring the fire under control, it added.

Three Indian nationals sustained moderate injuries after the fire broke out on the FOIZ, the Khaleej Times reported, quoting authorities in Fujairah.

The injured were taken to the hospital for treatment, it added.

In a post on X, the UAE's Ministry of Defence said that Iran launched four missiles toward various areas across the country. "Three were successfully engaged over the country's territorial waters, while one fell into the sea," it said.

The ministry urged the public to comply with all public safety procedures when warning messages are issued to the public.

Authorities have urged the public not to circulate rumours and to rely only on official sources for information, Gulf News reported.