Jammu: Security forces recovered a Lahore-marked bag containing a Chinese pistol and suspected narcotic substances near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Poonch district, even as multiple anti-terror search operations and SIA-led actions continued across the Jammu region on Thursday.
The recovery was reportedly made by a patrolling party of Army’s 22 JAK Rifles deployed ahead of the fence in the Balakote sector under the jurisdiction of Police Post Balakote and Police Station Mendhar.
According to reports, Army personnel noticed a suspicious bag concealed beneath dry leaves near a tree close to Abbas Post during routine patrolling. After sanitising the area and ruling out the possibility of any IED or explosive device, forces recovered the hidden consignment.
The seized material reportedly included one Chinese pistol along with a magazine, two yellow polythene-wrapped packets suspected to contain narcotic substances and a blue bag bearing “Lahore” markings.
Security agencies suspect possible cross-border smuggling and narco-terror links behind the recovery. The recovered items have been taken into custody by the concerned Army unit, while police and other agencies are expected to initiate further investigation. Official confirmation from security forces was awaited till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, security forces intensified anti-terror grid operations across several districts of Jammu division with multiple search and area domination exercises being conducted in vulnerable forest and border belts.
In Doda district, joint operational teams of 10 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation in the forest areas of Mandralla Nalla, Darighot, Langal Dhar and Aulkanda Top under Police Post Bagla. Officials said the operation continued for several hours and the situation remained normal.
In Kathua district’s Malhar sector, a joint search operation involving 121 Battalion CRPF, 15 Rajput Rifles and 7 Sikh Light Infantry in the Surag Ichu forest belt and adjoining areas concluded peacefully after extensive sanitisation, with no suspicious movement or activity detected.
Similarly, in Poonch district, Army, CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) teams concluded a prolonged search operation in Satarban, Molsar and adjoining areas falling under Police Station Mandi without any recovery or contact.
Separate search operations launched by SOG units in Kalakote area of Rajouri district, Hiranagar in Kathua, Galhutta area of Gursai sector in Poonch and Kalaban area of Mendhar also ended peacefully after extensive searches in forests and adjoining habitations.
Amid the heightened security scenario, a team of the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Jammu along with local police visited Angralla village in Mahore area of Reasi district and pasted a public notice regarding attachment of property belonging to absconding terrorist Mohd Qasim alias Salman/Suleman, presently operating from across the border.
Officials said the property attachment involving three marlas of land was carried out under provisions of the BNSS and UA(P) Act in connection with FIR No. 83/2022 registered at Police Station Mahore.
Meanwhile, authorities also carried out a joint search inside District Jail Dhangri in Rajouri district. The operation, conducted jointly by jail staff and personnel of CRPF 246 Battalion under the supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Jail, concluded peacefully with no suspicious material recovered from the premises.
