Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: Army and police today averted a major tragedy by recovering a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives including 60 kg deadly RDX, 40 detonators and 43 hand grenades from a militant hideout at Keshwan in Kishtwar district while an Army soldier was injured in a mine blast at forward area of Nakerkot in Digwar sub sector of Poonch district.
Official sources said a major terror plot has been foiled with such a massive recovery especially 60 kg RDX, which was capable of causing major destruction.
They added that a joint team of 8 Rashtriya Rifles and police conducted a search operation at Keshwan in Kishtwar district this afternoon after developing specific inputs about dumps of arms and ammunition in a militant hideout.
After more than two hour long search operation, Army and police recovered the consignment of arms, ammunition and explosives.
The seizure included 60 kg RDX, one kg Russian marking explosive, two kg unidentified explosive, 40 detonators, 43 hand grenades, three RPGs, one AK-47 rifles, one normal rifles, three 12 bore rifles, 19 rounds of UBGL ammunition, 608 rounds of AK-47, 940 rounds of 7.62mm rifle, six rounds of 9mm, 13 magazines of AK-47 rifles, one magazine of 9mm, one binocular and one radio set.
The operation was supervised by SSP Kishtwar Sanjay Kotwal.
Sources said Army and police conducted searches soon after the recoveries but no arrests were made so far. It appeared that the militants had dumped arms, ammunition and explosives in the hideout to pick-up them later and used them during upcoming Assembly elections.
However, with timely recovery of the consignment, Army and police have foiled the militant plot to carry out terror strikes during the elections.
The hideout reportedly belonged to slain Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Habib Gujjar.
It may be mentioned here that Kishtwar district still has about half a dozen active militants apart from the Over Ground Workers (OGWs).
Sources said Army and police continued searches in Keshwan and surrounding areas to trace the militants.
Meanwhile, an Army jawan was injured in a mine blast along the Line of Control (LoC) at forward area of Nakerkot in Digwar sub sector of Poonch district this morning.
The injured jawan has been identified as Sepoy Mahroof Khan of 17 JAK Rifles.
Army evacuated the injured jawan from the LoC and shifted him to hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable.
Sources said the injured Army jawan stepped over the mine during patrolling leading to explosion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel