Security forces recover huge arms, explosives cache in north Kashmir

Intensifying its ongoing counter-terrorism operations, a joint team of security forces recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosive material in the North Kashmir district of Baramulla on Saturday. Acting on specific intelligence inputs generated by Sopore Police, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in the forest area of Mukaam Cherhar, in Sopore township of the North Kashmir district, a police spokesperson said.

He said the searches resulted in the recovery of a major cache of arms, ammunition, grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other related material.

During the search operation, a blue barrel and a bag were found concealed beneath a large boulder, he said. A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was immediately called to the spot for examination and safe handling of the suspected explosive material, the spokesman said.

The recovered material included two assault rifles – an AK-47 and AK-76 – along with seven magazines and ammunition, four pistols along with four magazines and ammunition, a multi-grenade launcher (MGL) with five rounds, 11 hand grenades, three IEDs with remote controls, eight detonators and two timers, he said. He added that other material, including a Y-SMS set, prima cords, wires, battery cells, IED-related components and miscellaneous accessories, was also recovered.

A case FIR No. 66/2026 under Sections 13, 18, 20 and 23 of the UAPA, Section 7/25 of the Arms Act and Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Bomai, he said.

Further investigation is underway to establish the source and ownership of the recovered material, identify those involved in its concealment and ascertain possible terrorist linkages, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, five landmines were detected and safely destroyed by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Saturday.

While two landmines were detected by an Army patrol party near the border fence in the Basoni top area on Saturday morning, three others had been found in the same area the previous day, the officials said.

They said the explosives were subsequently destroyed through controlled explosions by the Bomb Disposal Squad of the Army without causing any damage.

The forward areas along the LoC are dotted with landmines as part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system. However, heavy rainfall can sometimes wash away the mines, causing them to surface in areas where they may pose a potential risk.