| Massive arms, explosives haul recovered from Sopore Forest | | ‘Probe on to find out intended target, whether any local or external handlers were involved’ |    | Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 10: In a major breakthrough for security agencies, Sopore Police on Saturday recovered a huge cache of war-like material from a concealed hideout in the dense forest area of Mukaam Cherhar, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Bomai.
According reports, police launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the forest area acting on specific intelligence inputs generated by Sopore Police. Security personnel carried out a painstaking search of the difficult, densely wooded terrain, which is often exploited for concealing contraband.
During the search, a blue-coloured barrel and a bag were found hidden beneath a large boulder, apparently placed there to escape detection. Suspecting the presence of explosive material, the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was immediately called to the spot to examine the items and ensure their safe handling.
A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of a formidable stockpile of weapons and ammunition, including: two assault rifles, one AK-47 and one AK-76, along with 07 magazines, four pistols with 04 magazines, one multi-grenade launcher (MGL) with 05 rounds, 11 hand grenades, 03 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) fitted with remote controls, 08 detonators, and 02 timers
Besides these, police seized a Y-SMS set, prima cords, wires, battery cells, various IED-related components and other miscellaneous accessories from the spot. Taken together, these items point to a well-stocked hideout equipped not only with firepower but also with the materials needed to assemble and trigger explosive devices.
The variety and quantity of the material, particularly the remote-controlled IEDs, timers, detonators, grenade launcher and hand grenades, suggest that the cache was meant for a coordinated and potentially high-impact operation rather than a routine stockpile. The combination of small arms, grenades and explosive devices is typically associated with plans for multi-pronged attacks aimed at causing maximum damage. Its recovery before use may have averted a major security threat in the region.
The recovered arms and explosives were taken into possession after following due legal procedure, with all necessary safety precautions observed. A case under FIR No. 66/2026 has been registered at Police Station Bomai under Sections 13, 18, 20 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Section 7/25 of the Arms Act and Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigation has been taken up.
Describing the recovery as a significant achievement in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, police said investigation is underway to establish the source and ownership of the cache, identify those involved in hiding it, and ascertain possible terror linkages. Efforts are also on to find out the intended target of the material and whether any local or external handlers were involved. | | |
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