Weapons cache recovered from Baramulla forest:Includes AK-47, pistols, grenades and IEDs; arms hidden in a blue drum

Police recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives from a forest in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday. The recovery was made during a search operation in the Mukam Cheharhar forest in the Sopore area of north Kashmir, following specific intelligence inputs received by Sopore Police. According to police, a blue drum and a bag hidden beneath a large rock were found during the operation. A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called to examine the suspected explosives and take the necessary safety measures. The recovered items include an AK-47 rifle, an AK-76 rifle, four pistols, a multi-grenade launcher (MGL), 11 hand grenades and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Police described the recovery as a major success in Sopore Police’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered According to a police spokesperson, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in the Sopore area based on specific intelligence inputs. During the search of the Mukam Cheharhar forest, officers recovered weapons, ammunition, grenades, IEDs and other related materials. The recovered items include: Assault rifles: One AK-47 and one AK-76, along with seven magazines and ammunition. Pistols: Four pistols, four magazines and ammunition. Grenade launcher: One multi-grenade launcher and five rounds for it. Hand grenades: 11 grenades. IEDs: Three improvised explosive devices fitted with remote controls. Other components: Eight detonators and two timers. Materials linked to IED-making also found Police said several materials potentially linked to the manufacture of IEDs were also recovered from the site. These include a Y-SMS set, prima cords, wires, battery cells and other IED-related components. Several auxiliary devices were also seized. The recovered material was taken into possession following the required legal procedures and safety precautions. Case registered under UAPA and explosives laws Police said FIR No. 66/2026 has been registered at Bomai Police Station in connection with the recovery. The case has been filed under Sections 13, 18, 20 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Sections 7 and 25 of the Arms Act and Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act have also been invoked. An investigation is under way to establish the source and ownership of the recovered weapons and explosives. Police are also investigating who concealed the cache, the circumstances in which it was hidden and whether it has any links to terrorist activities. ​