Security forces bust terrorist hideout in north Kashmir

Baramulla, Dec 30: Security forces on Tuesday busted a suspected terrorist hideout during a cordon and search operation in the forest area of Kharpora village in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said.
The operation was jointly carried out by the Central Reserve Police Force 176 Battalion, 2 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army, Special Operations Group units from Kunzar and Pattan, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police under the supervision of SDPO Tangmarg.
During the search, the joint team detected a concealed hideout in the forest area, from where arms, ammunition and explosive material were recovered. Officials said the seized items included a pressure cooker fitted with a motorcycle battery, suspected to be part of an improvised explosive device, and 53 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
Other articles recovered from the hideout included a nail cutter, a comb, a pair of pliers, a knife, a diary, a tasbi, an additional battery and electric wire. All the items had been packed inside a small dustbin and concealed within a pressure cooker, indicating deliberate storage for subversive use.
A police officer said that following standard operating procedures, the pressure cooker device was later destroyed in a controlled blast to eliminate any threat.
Security officials said the recovery points to the continued attempts by terrorists to maintain logistical support in forested areas of north Kashmir. The area has been kept under heightened surveillance, and further searches are underway to rule out the presence of additional hideouts or materials. [KNT]