BARAMULLA, Dec 30: A joint team of security forces successfully uncovered and destroyed a Terrorist hideout during a specialized Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the forest area of Kharpora village, North Kashmir.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving the 176 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Indian Army’s 2 Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operations Group (SOG) units from Kunzar and Pattan, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Conducted under the direct supervision of SDPO Tangmarg, the search led to the detection of a concealed underground storage site used for housing weaponry and logistical supplies intended for subversive activities.
During the search of the forest hideout, the joint team recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 53 rounds of AK-47 ammunition. Most notably, officials discovered a pressure cooker fitted with a motorcycle battery, which was suspected to be part of a ready-to-use Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Other items found at the site included daily utilities such as a diary, a knife, pliers, electric wires, and additional batteries. All materials had been meticulously packed inside a small dustbin and hidden within the pressure cooker to avoid detection, signaling a deliberate attempt by Terrorists to maintain a logistical foothold in the region’s dense foliage.To ensure the safety of the surrounding area and following established standard operating procedures, the suspected IED was destroyed through a controlled blast by bomb disposal experts.
Security officials noted that this recovery highlights ongoing efforts by Terrorists elements to utilize North Kashmir’s forests for tactical storage. Following the bust, the Kharpora forest and its adjacent areas have been placed under heightened surveillance, with security forces continuing their search operations to ensure no other concealed materials or threats remain in the vicinity.
