Security personnel operating in Jammu and Kashmir averted a significant terrorist incident by detecting and destroying an improvised explosive device in South Kashmir. The explosive material was discovered planted inside a fruit orchard close to the boundary dividing Shopian and Kulgam districts, prompting swift countermeasures from the authorities before any harm could be inflicted on civilians or security personnel.
Explosive Found in Awanneera Orchard and Safely Neutralized
The device was uncovered inside an orchard located in the Awanneera area of Zainapora, positioned right along the border of Shopian and Kulgam districts. The recovery followed actionable inputs regarding suspicious movements in the sector, which led teams to comb the local terrain. Upon spotting the suspicious package, troops on the ground immediately sealed off access routes to prevent unauthorized entry.
Civilians living nearby were alerted to maintain distance while an explosive disposal squad arrived at the spot. Working under established safety protocols, the bomb technicians destroyed the device through a controlled detonation. Officials confirmed that the planned disposal did not result in any injuries or structural damage across the adjacent properties.
Joint Search Operation Across the Zainapora Belt
The ground action was coordinated by a unified formation consisting of soldiers from the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, personnel from the 178th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force, and local teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The combined forces had been patrolling the area based on intelligence warnings when the concealed explosive was spotted.
Following the successful detonation, security forces established a tighter security perimeter around the entire village and neighboring fields. A comprehensive cordon-and-search operation was maintained across the orchard belt to ensure no additional ordnance, hidden caches, or armed elements remained concealed in the terrain.
Lashkar Logistics Network Busted with Three Arrests
The explosive recovery comes shortly after security agencies neutralized an operational support network run on behalf of the Pakistan-based banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Acting on intelligence, law enforcement authorities arrested three overground operatives on 14 September from the Rajouri sector.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Azam, Zakir Hussain, and Mohammad Mushtaq, all residents of Kot Charwal in Rajouri district. Police investigations revealed that the trio had operated a tactical and logistics support cell for several years, facilitating safe movement, shelter, and transit routes for multiple armed groups traveling from the Rajouri-Reasi belt across the Pir Panjal ranges toward Shopian in South Kashmir.
Link to 2023 Chassana Gunfight and Arms Cache Recoveries
Inquiries revealed that these three facilitators had assisted the militants who were subsequently neutralized during an encounter at Chassana in Reasi district in 2023. Following their arrest, disclosures made by the suspects led investigators to a potent IED concealed in a forested zone adjoining their village. Later on Thursday, searches at their hideout resulted in the recovery of a handgun, a magazine, live ammunition, and two Chinese-manufactured hand grenades.
