A coordinated counter-terror operation in the northern Kashmir district of Baramulla has thwarted what appears to be a blueprint for a major militant strike. Sopore police received specific intelligence inputs indicating suspicious movements in the forested terrain. Acting swiftly on this lead, a joint team of police and army personnel launched a cordon and search mission inside the Mukam Cherhar forest area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bomai police station. While combing through the rugged woods, search parties noticed a massive boulder, underneath which a substantial stockpile of weaponry and explosive materials had been concealed. By uncovering this hideout in time, security forces effectively neutralized a catastrophic threat within the valley.
Extensive Arsenal Recovered from Mukam Cherhar Woodland
The munitions seized during the thorough combing of the Mukam Cherhar forest underscore meticulous preparations for a major assault. Troops on site recovered two assault weapons, specifically one AK-47 rifle and one AK-76 rifle, alongside four pistols. The find also included seven rifle magazines, four pistol magazines, and an extensive reserve of live ammunition. Furthermore, troops located a multi-grenade launcher along with five rounds, equipment typically reserved for targeting fortified posts or military convoys.
Remote-Controlled IEDs and High Explosives Neutralized
Beyond small arms and ammunition, the woodland dump yielded three improvised explosive devices engineered to detonate via remote control. Search teams also confiscated 11 hand grenades, eight detonators, and two timing devices designed for coordinated detonations. Once the nature of the hazardous ordnance was confirmed, explosive disposal experts were immediately called to the spot. The specialists secured the perimeter and took custody of the lethal materials in accordance with established legal procedures.
Strict Anti-Terror Charges Registered at Bomai Police Station
Following the recovery, law enforcement authorities registered FIR number 66/2026 at the Bomai police station. The case incorporates charges under Sections 13, 18, 20, and 23 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Strict sections from both the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act have also been applied given the severe threat posed by the arsenal.
Investigators Probe Supply Routes and Planned Targets
Specialist investigative teams are now working to trace the logistical route used to transport this heavy consignment deep into the woodland. Officers are investigating which militant network arranged the drop and are mapping out the precise locations or installations in the valley that were meant to be targeted using this weaponry.
Landmines Defused Along the Line of Control in Poonch
Alongside the breakthrough in Sopore, army personnel in the Poonch district of Jammu division neutralized a serious hazard near the Line of Control. A patrol team operating around the Basoni Top sector in Mendhar discovered two landmines near the boundary fencing. This followed the discovery of three other landmines in the exact same stretch just a day prior.
Army bomb disposal technicians disposed of all five landmines through controlled explosions without causing any collateral damage or injury. While these defensive devices are deployed to obstruct border infiltration, severe rainfall occasionally causes soil erosion, washing them loose from their original positions and creating a hazard for patrols and nearby civilians.
