Arms, explosives haul in Ramban
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Army and police today averted a major tragedy by effecting recovery of a large quantity of arms and ammunition from a hideout of the militants at village Andernar in Sumbar area falling under the jurisdiction of Dharamkund police station in Ramban district.
The hideout of the militants was destroyed in the operation.
Official sources said troops of 58 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and local police conducted search operations at Andernar after developing inputs about a hideout of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. It reportedly belonged to Hizbul militant Ghulam Qadir.
Sources said some cadre of Ghulam Qadir were trying to become active in Sumbar belt but Army and police have foiled their attempt by recovering consignment of their arms and ammunition.
Recoveries made from the hideout included one .303 rifle, one magazine of .303 rifle, 52 rounds of 7.62 mm Self Loading Rifle (SLR), 63 fired cases of 7.62 mm SLR, two anti-personnel mines MK P-4, five grenades of Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), three small Chinese hand grenades, two Chinese hand grenades, one I Com radio set with battery, one I Com radio set without battery, one Elinco radio set VHF, one Bino Samsung (No. B8X25N), one combat jacket, one packet of Kuber tobacco and some eatables.
Army personnel detected the hideout with the help of some local people and destroyed it with the help of police personnel.
Police parties in the operation were supervised by DIG Doda-Ramban range Gareeb Dass and SSP Ramban Anil Magotra.
Sources said most of the grenades recovered during the search operations were live.
Other items recovered from the hideout could also have been used by the militants to indulge in subversive activities, police said, adding the plot of the militants has been thwarted with timely recoveries made by the joint teams of Army and police.
Police said Sumbar belt was almost free of militancy for past quite sometime now. However, of late, some attempts were being made to revive Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, which have not succeeded due to timely efforts made by Army and police, who have been keeping a close watch on the situation.
Sources said Army and police conducted massive search operations in Sumbar belt after making the recoveries. However, no arrests were made from the spot. Movement of militants or Over Ground Workers has also not been spotted in the area.
Army and police have stepped up vigil in Sumbar belt.
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