Imphal, June 15 -- Residents across Manipur have welcomed the recent recovery of a massive cache of illegal weapons, calling it a significant step toward restoring peace and public safety in the conflict-hit state.

The breakthrough came during a coordinated intelligence-based operation carried out on the night of June 13-14 by joint teams of the Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Indian Army, and Assam Rifles. The search operations were conducted along the outskirts of five valley districts.

Security forces recovered a total of 328 weapons, including 151 SLR rifles, 65 INSAS rifles, 73 other rifles, five carbine guns, and two MP-5 submachine guns, along with a large quantity of explosives and other warlike stores.

"Thi...