Jammu and Kashmir: Huge cache of arms, ammunition recovered from Akhnoor operation site; one arrested

The Indian Army along with the Jammu and Kashmir police and paramilitary forces successfully thwarted a terror ambush in the dense jungles of Jammu’s Battal, on Monday (Oct 28), resulting in the elimination of three terrorists. 

In the pre-dawn hours, terrorists ambushed an army convoy, prompting a swift and precise response from the Indian troops. There were no casualties among the convoy persons, as troops quickly forced the attackers to retreat.

In the operation, the Indian Army recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including incriminating material. The army said they recovered: M4 (1), AK-47 (2), M4 Magzine (3), AK Magzine (8), pistol (1), 9mm pistol rounds (20), 7.62mn rounds (77), 5.56mm rounds (129), solar panel (1), knife (3), power bank with USB cable (1), bino (1), hand grenade (1), pistol case (2), digital casio watch (1), small note pad (red colour) – 01, sentry, silencer (fandha) (1), three pairs of shoes, ammunition pouches (3), poncho (4), blanket (3), side pouch (1), shirt (2), trouser (4), wire cutter (1), screw driver (1), pencil cell (22), three bundles cotton, cotton patty (3) bundles, napkin (2), bottle with honey (3), eight water bottle plastic (1 ltr), chindi (2), back packs/rucksacks (3), medicines liquid in bottles (4), loose medicines (15), cashew (2 pkts) (approx 200 gms), dates (3 pkts) (approx 200 gms), chana (2 pkts) (approx 200 gms), raisin (3 pkts) (approx 200 gms), almonds (2 pkts) (approx 200 gms), candy (2 pkts), scissor (1), weapon oil (100ml) (1), toothbrush (1), lighter (3), ointment (1), belt (1), four pairs of socks, green thread (1), dry coconut (3), edible paste (yellow) (4), one pair of gloves, polythene set (2), zip ties (4), betadine (small bottles with drip) (3).

Special Forces were mobilised promptly to reinforce the cordon around the fleeing terrorists. Advanced technology, including night surveillance devices, unmanned ground vehicles and surveillance drones ensured real-time tracking and prevented potential escapes.

Watch | India: 3 Terrorists Killed After Attacking Army Vehicle in J&K’s Akhnoor

Tragically, an Indian Army dog named Phantom sustained fatal injuries during the operation, underscoring the risk involved for all persons engaged in counter-terrorist operations.

“We also want to dispel some rumours going around on Social Media about the use of BMPs in this operation. The hardened vehicles were used to close in with the trapped terrorists. We want to also emphasise that the Indian Army is a professional force and no disrespect to the mortal remains of the slain terrorist has been carried out,” said the Indian Army.

Meanwhile, based on leads from intelligence agencies and Military Intelligence (MI), an 18-year-old was apprehended by security forces with grenades.  

A joint naka was established at one of the entry points to Pulwama town by the police, CRPF and 55 personnel from the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles. There, the security forces could apprehend suspicious-looking Danish Bashir urf Maulvi, 18, moving with ten hand grenades.

Reportedly he was found highly radicalised and was about to join terrorists’ ranks. It is believed that this apprehension has definitely averted some terror attacks in South Kashmir.