Security forces seized a US-made M16 rifle along with a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives during intensified search and area domination operations across Manipur on Wednesday, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The major recovery was made from the jungle area between Maohing and Changoubung villages in Kangpokpi district. The seized items included one M16 rifle with a magazine and ten rounds, a looted .303 rifle with two magazines, a CMG with its magazine and two rounds, a 7.62 mm LMG barrel, a lathode with two rounds, three pistols including a US-made pistol with three magazines, a .22 rifle with its magazine and forty rounds, six bolt-action rifles, two single-barrel rifles, and twelve rounds of 12 mm ammunition. Additionally, the forces recovered three improvised projectile launchers (commonly known as pumpis), two hand grenades, four Baofang radio sets, and three bulletproof jackets.

In a separate operation at Kotzim village in Kangpokpi district, security forces recovered a 9 mm carbine with its magazine, a single-barrel rifle, three pull-mechanism rifles, three improvised mortars, and two hand grenades.

Another search was carried out in Khongnangpokpi area of Imphal West, where one pompi gun, a country-made rifle, a hand grenade, a radio handset, and a charger were seized.

Authorities said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms movement and maintain security in the state.