Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 30: The recovery of sophisticated M-4 rifles from terrorists killed in the Safiyan Jakhole encounter indicates that militants infiltrating from the International Border (IB) are using arms and ammunition abandoned by NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Security forces recently recovered M-4 rifles equipped with night vision devices (NVDs) and telescopic sights from two Pakistani terrorists neutralized in a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police in Kathua district. This suggests that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been smuggling NATO weapons pilfered from Afghanistan to arm terrorist groups operating in India.
Reports highlight that the increasing seizure of M-series rifles with advanced optics underscores how foreign mercenaries are being equipped with these battlefield-grade weapons, originally used by NATO forces in global war zones. The recurring recovery of M-4 carbines from eliminated terrorists has become a serious concern for security agencies.
Concerns over such weapons falling into the hands of Pakistani terrorists were first raised in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan. Th Security forces recently recovered M-4 rifles equipped with night vision devices (NVDs) and telescopic sights from two Pakistani terrorists killed in Kathua encounter.
This suggests that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been smuggling NATO weapons pilfered from Afghanistan to arm terrorist groups operating in India.
Increasing seizure of M-series rifles with advanced optics underscores how foreign mercenaries are being equipped with these battlefield-grade weapons, originally used by NATO forces in global war zones.
Concerns over such weapons falling into the hands of Pakistani terrorists were first raised in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan.
The increasing use of modern weaponry by terrorists has led to a sharp rise in casualties among security forces, with around 43 soldiers losing their lives in Jammu in recent months. Earlier, terrorists primarily used INSAS rifles, later shifting to AK-47 and AK-56 variants. However, the sudden influx of U.S.-made M-4 rifles has escalated the threat level, as these firearms use steel-core bullets capable of penetrating bulletproof vests.
The M-4 carbine, in service since 1994, is a lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, and shoulder-fired weapon with a collapsible stock, providing greater maneuverability. Intelligence reports indicate that abandoned NATO weapons are being openly sold in Afghanistan by the Taliban. Pakistani terror groups are allegedly purchasing these firearms and smuggling them across the border into Jammu and Kashmir, further intensifying the security challenge in the region. | 