SRINAGAR, April 6: In a major breakthrough against militancy in north Kashmir, security forces on Sunday recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, and war-like stores from the dense Kandi forest area of Kupwara district during a joint search operation, officials said.
The operation was carried out jointly by Kupwara Police and the Army’s 47 Rashtriya Rifles, under a carefully planned Search and Destroy Operation (SADO) based on credible intelligence inputs about the presence of hidden militant supplies in the forested region close to the Line of Control.
Cache of War-Like Stores Recovered
During the extensive combing operation, the joint forces recovered: One machine gun
Seven assorted hand grenades Ninety live rounds of ammunition One Chinese-made binocularTwo solar mobile chargers One sleeping bag of foreign origin A large stock of Pakistan-made medicines Officials said the recovered materials were well-concealed in a natural hideout, suggesting a premeditated attempt to establish a militant base or supply point in the area.
Cross-Border Links Suspected
The nature and origin of the seized items—including Pakistan-manufactured medicines and equipment of foreign make—point towards cross-border infiltration and support networks. Security officials believe that the cache was intended to support fresh infiltration attempts or sleeper cells operating in the region.
“This is a significant success in disrupting terrorist logistics. The recoveries suggest a well-organized attempt to rearm militant elements in the region, and the presence of Pakistani-origin items reaffirms concerns about external involvement,” a senior police official said.
FIR Registered, Probe Underway
Police said that an FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway to identify possible local support or involvement. The security forces are now expanding the search operation to adjoining forest stretches and have tightened surveillance in vulnerable zones along the LoC and hinterland.
The latest recovery comes amid heightened security measures in the Kashmir Valley in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and recent incidents of infiltration attempts along the border.
In a statement, the joint forces emphasized their unwavering commitment to preventing terrorist networks from gaining ground. “Operations like these underscore the resolve of the security grid to maintain peace and stability in the region,” it read.
The operation has been widely appreciated as it may have averted a major militant strike or arms distribution mission in the Valley.
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