Army on Monday said in two different operations at LoC and hinterland, it intercepted and recovered huge quantity of weapons and ammunition, thereby preventing their falling into the hands of militants at a sensitive time when Kashmir is going through Assembly elections.“This is being seen as major success towards ensuring conduct of peaceful elections in Valley. In the first operation launched by alert troops deployed along the line of control, a huge haul of weapons including 18 AK-47 rifles and 5 pistols were intercepted, thereby preventing them from falling in the hands of terrorists operating in Kashmir. A potential threat to disruption of elected related activities has thus been prevented,” a defence spokesman said in a statement.
“In the second operation launched jointly by Army and SOG, based on specific input, at Hajibal forest area Baramulla in the early hours of 23 Nov 14 in Bosian Forest. Extensive search led to the discovery of a well entrenched hideout from which large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war like stores to include which 01 Sniper rifle, 02 Pistol, 02 UBGL, 23 UBGL, 23 UBGL Grenade, 18 Hand Grenade, 06 RPG, 02 Disposable RL, 04 Radio set, 02 Mortor bombs, 02 combat dress with Assorted ammunition and belted ammunition were recovered. The hideout seems to have been used by transient terrorists as a safe hiding place and the destruction of same will further enhance the safe environs on fringe areas of Baramulla town and is a major setback to terrorist operating around Baramulla,” he said.
“The total quantity of weapons and ammunition recovered in the two operations was 18 AK 47 rifles, 01 Sniper rifle, 07 Pistol, 02 UBGL, 23 UBGL, 23 UBGL Grenade, 18 Hand Grenade, 06 RPG, 02 Disposable RL, 04 Radio set, 02 Mortar bombs. These operations, when seen in conjunction with the arrest of the militant and grenade throwing incident in last 48 hours indicates the desperate attempts by terrorists to disrupt the so far peaceful election related activities and success of security forces in thwarting such ill designs,” he added.Lt Gen Subrata Saha commended the alert troops on LoC and hinterland for maintaining a robust counter infiltration and counter militancy grid.