Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Army and police today busted a major hideout of the militants at village Kuchhal in Bhandarkut area of Kishtwar district and recovered large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives thwarting any attempt by the militants to carry out terror strikes in the district, where few militants were still present in higher reaches though they were lying low.
Official sources said the troops of Delta Force located at Bhandarkut and police busted the militant hideout and effected recovery of arms, ammunition and explosive material after 42 hours of search operation in treacherous forests and mountainous areas of Kuchhal.
Recoveries made from the hideout included one Pika machine gun with 100 belted ammunition, two .303 rifles, two 12 bore guns, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), 16 UBGL grenades, four Chinese grenades, 16 rounds of .303 ammunition and one Yaesu radio set.
The weaponry had been concealed in a natural hideout by the militants, which had enough space for the militants to move and shift the weapons, whenever required.
Troops got information about the hideout from sources and launched the operation, which was completed today after 42 hours of intense searches.
Sources said the weapons and explosives could have been used by the militants to carry out terror attacks in Kishtwar district but their timely recovery by Army and police have thwarted designs of the subversive elements.
Sources said Kuchhal village of Chatru sub division in Kishtwar district was once safe haven for terrorists and the area had witnessed worst militant activities earlier.
“Many local people were of the view that the seized weapons could have been hidden by the terrorists to pick up them at an opportune time and strike as presently they were not finding any opportunity to carry out terror attack due to presence of security forces and police and non-cooperation by the people,’’ sources said, adding that successful operation by Army and police has delivered crippling blow to the militants and their nefarious designs of reviving the militancy in Kishtwar district.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Delta Force has complemented the troops for conducting successful operation.
He commented that recovery of the cache is in continuation of the sustained efforts by the Delta Force towards dismantling of terrorist infrastructure.
It may be mentioned here that majority of militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and other outfits, who were operating in Kishtwar district, had already been neutralized by security forces and police. However, some militants were still active in the district but they had fled towards mountains and were lying low.
Follow our WhatsApp channel