Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: A militant hideout was busted today in a remote forest area in Ramban district with the recovery of arms and explosives including two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and a grenade launcher, averting what could have been a major tragedy.
The hideout was busted on specific information about its location in the far-flung hilly and forested area of Burzalla in Khari tehsil of Ramban district by a joint team of police and Special Operations Group (SOG) Banihal, a police spokesperson said.
The recoveries made from the hideout included an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) thrower, two rifle grenades, a wireless set with an antenna, two IEDs with wire, a detonator, 17 rounds of AK-47 rifle, seven rounds of 9 mm pistol, one bottle containing some liquid, a ‘Khakhi’ jacket and a pair of black leather shoes, the spokesperson said.
No one was arrested during the search operation, he said, adding police have registered a case under First Information Report (FIR) No. 106/2023 and Section 4 Explosive Substance Act at Banihal police station and further investigation is on.
Following recoveries, police and SOG teams conducted searches in the area but no arrests were made. Search operations, however, continued.
Sources said some Over Ground Workers (OGWs) might have dumped the consignment of explosives and ammunition for picking it up at an opportune time. However, police and SOG got tip off about the consignment and seized it before it could fall into the hands of militants for carrying out the terror strike.
The hideout was busted during the operation, they added.
Militants have desperately been making attempt to revive militancy in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts but police and security forces have not allowed their designs to succeed.
Police in all districts has been maintaining very high alert in view of G20 meeting of Tourism Working Group (TWG) in Srinagar scheduled from May 22-24.
Five Army bravehearts sacrificed their lives and another was injured in a terror attack at Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district on April 20.
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