Sopore: Police have recovered two assault rifles, four pistols, 11 hand grenades, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other arms and ammunition from the Mukaam Cherhar forest area in Sopore, officials said on Saturday.
The recovery was made during a cordon and search operation launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs in the forest area falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Bomai.
Police said a blue barrel and a bag containing the material were found concealed beneath a large boulder. The Bomb Disposal Squad was called to the spot to examine and safely handle the suspected explosives.
The recovered items included one AK-47 and one AK-76 rifle, seven magazines and ammunition, four pistols with four magazines and ammunition, and a multi-grenade launcher with five rounds.
The cache also included 11 hand grenades, three IEDs fitted with remote controls, eight detonators, two timers, a Y-SMS set, prima cords, wires, battery cells and other components used in explosive devices.
Police said the material had been seized in accordance with legal procedures and necessary safety precautions.
A case, FIR No. 66/2026, has been registered at Police Station Bomai under Sections 13, 18, 20 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act.
Further investigation is underway to trace the source and ownership of the recovered material, identify those responsible for concealing it and determine whether it has any links to terrorist activities, police said.
