Security forces have recovered a US-made M-4 rifle as the operation against the militants continued in the forest area of Kupwara. The operation was started early Saturday morning after the input of the presence of militants in the area, which resulted in a firefight in the late afternoon.


Also Read|Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Reaches Iran To Discuss Bilateral Ties After 3-Day Russia Visit

Later during the search, a 5.56 mm M-4 rifle and a pouch were recovered by a joint team of army and police after the gunfight with militants in Dana behak, Warnow area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

According to the police, a joint team of Police and Army’s RR 28 launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Dana Behak forests. As the joint team encircled the suspected spot, official sources said that the hiding militants fired upon them.

The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter, they said. There was a lull after the initial gunfight following which searches were launched which culminated into the recovery of 5.56 mm M-4, Pithu bag, Motorola wireless set, they said.

“The search operation will continue, and additional troops have been called in for the operation, which has been suspended for the night.  However, it is not immediately known as to how many militants are present in the area and which organization they belong to.

However, sources say that the group may belong to Jaish as it is the only militant outfit that has been in possession of US-made weapons in J&K.